Use of a semitendinosus myocutaneous flap for soft-tissue reconstruction of a grade IIIB open tibial fracture in a dog.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical use of a semitendinosus myocutaneous flap for soft-tissue reconstruction of a grade IIIB open tibial fracture.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
A 5-year-old castrated male Labrador retriever with a grade IIIB open tibial fracture.


METHODS
A myocutaneous flap was created by elevating the origin of the semitendinosus muscle and the associated overlying skin. The flap was rotated distally based on the distal vascular pedicle into a soft-tissue defect overlying the central and distal third of the tibia.


RESULTS
The flap allowed one-stage reconstruction of a severe soft-tissue defect overlying denuded bone in a grade IIIB open tibial fracture. The muscular portion of the flap survived; however, there was necrosis of 3 cm of skin extending distally beyond the muscular portion of the flap.


CONCLUSIONS
Distal rotation of the semitendinosus muscle and overlying skin can be used in the treatment of severe soft-tissue defects of the canine crus.


CONCLUSIONS
Complex soft-tissue injuries to the canine crus can be treated with a myocutaneous flap as a reasonable alternative to other reconstructive techniques.
Puerto
David A
DA
Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. davepuerto@earthlink.net
Aronson
Lillian R
LR
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000662:veterinary; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*