Treatment of an avulsed flap of the upper lip by a continuous infusion of PGE₁: A case report

Previously, the authors have confirmed both experimentally and clinically that prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) is effective in aiding flap survival by combatting flap necrosis. In this paper, they now report a case in which traumatically avulsed tissue was saved from becoming necrotic by continuous interarterial infusion of PGE₁. The patient, a 30-year-old male, was injured in a traffic accident. The tissue of his upper lip was avulsed; its appearance resembled a thin pedicled flap that looked in danger of becoming necrotic. Thus, for treatment, an infusion catheter was inserted via a superficial artery into the facial artery and a continuous interarterial infusion of PGE₁ was commenced. This tissue fully survived, and the normal contour of his lip was retained. The advantage of this method of treatment is that the maneuver is simple and not invasive, and the possibility of subsequent complications is low. They have thus concluded that their method can be recommended for head and neck reconstructions, in order to improve the circulation in impaired tissue.