Versatility of axial pattern flap for facial reconstruction

Large facial or nasal skin defects in the dog can be challenging to repair when inadequate tissues are available for tension-free closure. Selection of the appropriate closure method is based on multiple factors, including size and location of the defect, adjacent tissue availability and mobility, cutaneous circulation, skin elasticity, and lines of tension. Two major classi fications of skin flaps reported in the literature include subdermal plexus flaps and axial pattern flaps. Reliance on the subdermal plexus limits flap size, rendering them insufficient or impractical in the closure of large defects of the rostral muzzle.
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Surgery(Soft Tissue) Source Type: research