The effect of amifostine at pre- and postoperative irradiation damage on microvascular anastomoses, nerve regeneration and wound dealing

Abstract

A comparative study was undertaken to evaluate the possible effects of amifostine on irradiation damage to the healing of microvascular anastomoses, nerve regeneration through neurorrhaphy and flap survival, either preoperative irradiation+surgery or surgery+postoperative irradiation model in New-Guinea pigs. We observed benefical effects of amifostine on wound healing, nerve regeneration both clinically and microscopically. Amifostine appears to act with a mechanism similar to that of the endogenous thiols. Therefore, its radioprotective effect is probably mediated in part via enhancement reactions.