Management of distal limb skin defects in dogs and cats


Published: Jan 29, 2018
Keywords:
cat dog limbs skin defects
V. TSIOLI (Β. ΤΣΙΩΛΗ)
E. DERMISIADOU (Ε. ΔΕΡΜΙΣΙΑΔΟΥ)
Abstract

Skin defects on the lower limb are common and their management is usually challenging. All trauma patients should be initially assessed for concurrent injuries and stabilized. Debridement and cleansing is performed in all wounds. The most important factors for decision making on wound closure are the wound size, the extent of soft tissue damage, the presence of contamination and impaired perfusion. Primary closure is the preferred choice although; it is seldom applicable in wounds on the distal limbs. Delayed primary closure, secondary closure or second intention healing can be undertaken under certain circumstances in such wounds. When these options are not feasible local pedicle flaps, axial pattern flaps, distant flaps, grafts, muscle or myocutaneous flaps and microvascular free tissue transfer can provide coverage.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Review Articles
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Aper RL, Smeak D (2003) Complications and outcome after thoracodorsal axial pattern flap reconstruction of forelimb skin defects in 10 dogs (1989-2001). Vet Surg 32: 378-384.
Aper RL, Smeak D (2005) Clinical evaluation of caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flap reconstruction of skin defects in 10 dogs (1989-2001). J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 41: 185-192.
Baines S (2009) Pedicled muscle flaps. In: BSAVA Manual of canine and feline wound management and reconstruction, 2nd ed, British Small Animal Veterinary Publications, Gloucester: pp 159-199.
Beardsley SL, Schrader SC (1995) Treatment of dogs with wounds of the limbs caused by shearing forces: 98 cases (1975–1993). J Am Vet Med Assoc 207: 1071–75.
Bohling MW, Swaim SF (2012) Skin Grafts. In: Tobias KM and Johnston SA, Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal, 1st ed, Elsevier,Missouri: pp 1271-1290.
Brinkley CH (2007) Successful closure of feline axillary wounds by reconstruction of the elbow skin fold. J of Small Anim Pract 48:111–115.
Chambers JN, Purinton PT, Moore JL, Allen SW (1990) Treatment of trochanteric ulcers with cranial sartorius and rectus femoris muscle flaps. Vet Surg 19: 424-428.
Chambers JN, Purinton PT, Allen SW, Schneider TA, Smith JD, (1998) Flexor carpi ulnaris (humeral head) muscle flap for reconstruction of distal forelimb injuries in two dogs. Vet Surg 27: 342-347.
Cornell K, Salisbury K, Jakovljevic S, Bauer M, Petryk D (1995) Reverse saphenous conduit flap in cats: An anatomic study. VetSurg 24: 202-206.
Corr S (2009) Management of distal limb shearing injuries in cats. J of Feline Med and Surg 11: 747-757.
Fahie MA (2012) Primary wound closure. In: Tobias KM and Johnston SA, Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal, 1st ed, Elsevier, Missouri: pp 1197-1209.
Friend E (2009) Complications of wound healing. In: BSAVA Manual of canine and feline wound management and reconstruction, 2nd ed, British Small Animal Veterinary Publications, Gloucester: pp 254-270.
Fowler JD, Miller CW, Bowen V, Johnston GH (1987) Transfer of free vascular cutaneous flaps by microvascular anastomosis results in six dogs. Vet Surg 16: 446-450.
Fowler JD, Degner DA, Walshaw R, Walker D (1998) Microvascular free tissue transfer: results in 57 consecutive cases. Vet Surg 27:406-412.
Fowler JD (1998) Reconstructive microsurgical applications. In: Bojrab MJ, Current techniques in Small Animal Surgery, 4th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore: pp 607–622.
Fowler D (2006) Distal limb and paw injuries. Vet Clin of North Am: Small Anim Pract 36: 819-845.
Fowler D, Williams J (2009) Microsurgery. In: BSAVA Manual of canine and feline wound management and reconstruction, 2nd ed, British Small Animal Veterinary Publications, Gloucester: pp 200-222.
Holt ED, Runge G (2011) Use of skin stretchers to elongate a peninsular thoracodorsal axial pattern flap for antebrachial wound closure in a dog. Vet Surg 40: 352–356.
Hosgood G (2006) Stages of wound healing and their clinical relevance. Vet Clin of North Am: Small Anim Pract 36: 667-685.
Hosgood G (2009) The biology of wound healing. In: BSAVA Manual of canine and feline wound management and reconstruction, 2nd ed, British Small Animal Veterinary Publications, Gloucester: pp 1-14.
Hosgood G (2012) Open Wounds. In: Tobias KM and Johnston SA, Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal, 1st ed, Elsevier, Missouri: pp 1210-1220.
Hunt GB (1995) Skin fold advancement flaps for closing large sterna and inguinal wounds in cats and dogs. Vet Surg 24: 172-175.
Hunt GB, Tisdall PLC, Liptak JM, Beck JA, Swinney GR, Malik R (2001) Skin-Fold advancement flaps for closing large proximal limb and trunk defects in dogs and cats. Vet Surg 30:440-448.
Hunt G (2012) Local or subdermal plexus flaps. In: Tobias KM and Johnston SA, Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal, 1st ed, Elsevier, Missouri: pp 1243-1255.
Keller WG, Aron DN, Rakich PM, Crowe DT, Marks MA (1994) Rapid tissue expansion for the development of rotational skin flaps in the distal portion of the hindlimb of dogs: an experimental study. Vet Surg 23: 31-39.
Kostolich M, Pavletic MM (1987) Axial pattern flap based on the genicular branch of the saphenous artery in the dog. Vet Surg 16: 217-222.
Lemarié RJ, Hosgood G, Read RA, Lewist DD, Bellaht JR, Salisbury SK, Goldsmid S (1995) Distant abdominal and thoracic pedicle skin flaps for treatment of distal limb skin defects. J of Small Anim Pract 36: 255-261.
MacPhail CM (2013) Surgery of the integumentary system. In: Fossum TW, Small Animal Surgery, 4th edn, Mosby, St. Louis, Missouri: pp 190-288.
Mayhew P (2009) Tension relieving techniques and local skin flaps. In: BSAVA Manual of canine and feline wound management and reconstruction, 2nd ed, British Small Animal Veterinary Publications, Gloucester: pp 69-99.
Pavletic MM (1980) Vascular supply to the skin of the dog: a review. Vet Surg 9: 77-80.
Pavletic MM (1980) Caudal superficial epigastric arterial pedicle grafts in the dog. Vet Surg 9: 103-107.
Pavletic MM (2000) Use of an external skin-stretching device for wound closure in dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 217: 350-354.
Pavletic MM (2003) The integument. In: Slatter DH, Textbook of small animal surgery, 3rd ed, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia: pp 250-259.
Pavletic MM (2010) Atlas of small animal wound management and reconstructive surgery, 3rd ed, Wiley-Blackwell, Iowa.
Philibert D, Fowler JD (1993) The trapezius osteomusculocutaneous flap in dogs. Vet Surg 22: 444-450.
Pope ER (1998) Mesh skin grafting. In: Bojrab MJ, Current techniques in Small Animal Surgery, 4th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore: pp 603-607.
Puerto DA, Aronson LR (2004) Use of a semitendinosus myocutaneous flap for soft tissue reconstruction of a grade IIIB open tibial fracture in a dog. Vet Surg 33: 629-635.
Remedios AM, Bauer MS, Bowen CV (1989) Thoracodorsal and caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern skin flaps in cats. Vet Surg 18: 380-385.
Richards RR, Orsini EC, Mahoney JL, Verschuren R (1987) The Influence of muscle flap coverage on the repair of devascularized tibial cortex. Plast and Reconstr Surg 79: 946-956.
Shahar R, Shamir MH (1999) Free skin grafting for treatment of distal limb skin defects in cats. J of Small Anim Pract 40: 378-382.
Shields Henney HL, Pavletic MM (1988) Axial pattern flap based on the superficial brachial artery in the dog. Vet Surg 17: 311-317.
Stanley BJ (2012) Tension-Relieving techniques. In: Tobias KM and Johnston SA, Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal, 1st ed, Elsevier, Missouri: pp 1221-1242.
Swaim SF (1990) Skin grafts. Vet Clin of North Am: Small Animal Practice 20: 147-175.
Swaim SF (2003) Skin grafts. In: Slatter DH, Textbook of small animal surgery, 3rd ed, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia: pp 321-338.
Swaim SF (1997) Wound dressing materials and topical medications. In: Swaim SF and Henderson RAJr, Small animal wound management, 2nd ed, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore: pp 53-85,143-190, 295-370.
Swaim SF, Scardino S (1998) Paw and distal limb salvage and reconstructive techniques. In: Bojrab MJ, Current techniques in Small Animal Surgery, 4th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore: pp 625–639.
Wardlaw LJ, Lanz IO (2012) Axial pattern and myocutaneous flaps. In: Tobias KM and Johnston SA, Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal, 1st ed, Elsevier, Missouri: pp 1256-1270.
Weinstein JM, Pavletic MM, Boudrieau RJ (1988) Caudal Sartorius muscle flap in the dog. Vet Surg 17: 203-210.
Weinstein JM, Pavletic MM, Boudrieau RJ, Engler SJ (1989) Cranial sartorius muscle flap in the dog. Vet Surg 18: 286-291.
White R (2009) Free skin grafting. In: BSAVA Manual of canine and feline wound management and reconstruction, 2nd ed, British Small Animal Veterinary Publications, Gloucester: pp 144-158.
Most read articles by the same author(s)