The use of skin flaps in small animal reconstructive surgery

Abstract

A range of skin flap techniques exist allowing surgeons to close wounds that are not amenable to simple, direct closure. Simple advancement and transposition flaps can be used wherever abundant skin exists in close proximity to the defect. Axial pattern flaps are based on known vascular domains and allow large areas of skin to be mobilised to close extensive wounds within their arc of rotation. Postoperative complications will be minimised when careful surgical technique is employed.