Evaluation of primary critical ischemia time for the deep circumflex iliac cutaneous flap in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the primary critical ischemia time for the deep circumflex iliac (DCI) cutaneous flap in cats.


METHODS
In vivo model.


METHODS
Thirteen young adult female cats.


METHODS
An island skin flap was created on the right side of each cat based on the angiosome of the ventral branches of the DCI vessels. The cats were randomly assigned to a flap ischemia time ranging from 1 to 3 hours in 10-minute intervals. Microvascular clamps were used to occlude the artery and vein for the designated time. Flaps were sutured into position after the ischemic period. On day 3, fluorescein dye was administered and the flaps were evaluated under ultraviolet light to assess percent area of perfusion. On days 7 and 14, the percent area of survival was determined for each flap based on cutaneous morphometry.


RESULTS
All flaps had 100 percent area of survival throughout the study. On day 3, all flaps fluoresced uniformly compared with the surrounding skin. On days 7 and 14, all flaps were uniformly viable as confirmed by skin color, consistency, bleeding, and hair re-growth.


CONCLUSIONS
The DCI cutaneous flap in cats can withstand up to 3 hours of ischemia with predictable survival.


CONCLUSIONS
In a clinical setting, high success rates can be expected with microvascular transfer of the DCI cutaneous flap in cats when the ischemia time is <3 hours and precise surgical technique is used.
Teunissen
Brian D
BD
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. teunisse@cvm.msu.edu
Walshaw
Richard
R
Hauptman
Joe G
JG
Degner
Daniel A
DA
Jackson
Andrew H
AH
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000662:veterinary; D015424:Reperfusion / Q000662:veterinary; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome