title: Rectus abdominis free muscle flap for reconstruction in nine dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical use and outcome of a rectus abdominis microvascular free flap for wound closure in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n=9) with complex extremity or oral wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (2002-2006) of dogs that had a rectus abdominis free tissue transfer to close an extremity or oral wound were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine dogs were identified: 5 had distal extremity wounds, 3 had oral palatal defects, and 1 had a large hygroma excised. A rectus abdominis free tissue transfer with a caudal epigastric vascular pedicle was successfully used for management of these wounds. No major complications occurred with the donor site and a good cosmetic and functional outcome occurred in all dogs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rectus abdominis is a versatile muscle that can be used for reconstructing cutaneous and oral defects with repeatable success.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Free tissue transfer of the rectus abdominis muscle is a clinically useful technique for closure of a variety of difficult soft tissue wounds.
authors.affiliation: Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA. millerj@vt.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Otto I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Lanz
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Degner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000637:transplantation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing