Outcome of superficial brachial axial pattern flaps used to close skin defects in dogs: 16 cases (1996‐2019)

Abstract

Objectives To report the complication rate, type of complications and outcome of the superficial brachial axial pattern flap when used for closure of skin defects in dogs. Materials and Methods Medical records of dogs treated with a superficial brachial axial pattern flap for closure of a skin defect were reviewed. Information regarding signalment, reason for axial pattern flap use, skin flap size, flap healing, postoperative complications and need for revision surgery was collected. Results Sixteen dogs were included in the study. Indications for the superficial brachial axial pattern flap included closure following tumour removal (15/16, 94%) and management of a non‐healing wound on the olecranon (1/16, 6%). Postoperative complications occurred in all dogs and included partial dehiscence (7/16, 44%), partial flap necrosis (6/16. 38%), seroma formation (5/16, 31%), flap oedema (3/16, 19%) and complete flap necrosis (2/16, 13%). Eight flaps (50%) healed without open wound management or additional surgery. Five dogs required open wound management without additional surgery, and three dogs (19%) required revision surgery. Clinical Significance Use of the superficial brachial axial pattern flap was associated with a high rate of complications. Most complications were managed without additional surgery and all wounds eventually healed, in some cases after prolonged open wound management.

Case Report: Indocyanine Green-Based Angiography for Real-Time Assessment of Superficial Brachialis Axial Pattern Flap Vascularization in Two Dogs

“…Partial flap necrosis of APFs is described to be as frequent as 20% in dogs ( 2 ). A recent study by Villedieu et al ( 19 ) reported 100% complication rate in superficial brachial flaps, with flap necrosis in 7 out of 16 cases. Different theories for this have been proposed, but the reasons remain unclear.…”

Short‐term outcome and complications following cutaneous reconstruction using cranial superficial epigastric axial pattern flaps in dogs: six cases (2008‐2022)

“…2019, Villedieu et al . 2022). Similar results are reported in the present study with complications seen in 50% of the dogs.…”

“…2022, Villedieu et al . 2022). The reason for the lower complication rate is unknown, but it could be speculated that being the CrSE APF is generally shorter and smaller than other flaps, the risk of vascular embarrassment post‐transposition might be lower.…”

“…The occurrence of seroma in the present study was smaller than reported with the superficial brachial (31%), thoracodorsal (20%) and caudal superficial epigastric (30%) APF (Aper & Smeak 2003, 2005, Villedieu et al . 2022). However, this result was a little higher than reported in studies of multiple APFs, with 10% and 11% in Field et al .…”

“…2019, Villedieu et al . 2022). A higher rate (31%) for revision surgery was also reported by Field et al .…”