The Lack of Effect of Nifedipine on Failing Skin Flaps

The calcium channel blocker, nifedipine, was administered to 16 pigs in randomized blinded fashion in an unsuccessful attempt to salvage failing random pattern flaps. Despite the moderate dose of drug used, nifedipine caused significant hypotension that may have countered any beneficial effect on small vessel flow. Further studies are needed before nifedipine is abandoned as a potential agent for the pharmacologic manipulation of failing skin flaps.