Prevention of unfavourable effects of cigarette smoke on flap viability using botulinum toxin in random pattern flaps: An experimental study.

Background: There are numerous clinical and experimental studies reporting unfavourable effects of cigarette smoke on skin flaps.

Objective: To investigate whether unfavourable effects of cigarette smoke on flap survival could be reduced by botulinum toxin type A.

Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats (15 months of age, mean weight 210 g [range 180 g to 230 g]) were included.