Wound management in a juvenile tiger (Panthera tigris) with vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C. Therapy).
A 6-wk-old tiger (Panthera tigris) was evaluated for severe skin lacerations from an adult tiger attack. A caudal superficial epigastric skin flap was surgically placed to cover a defect that could not be closed over the hind limb; however, the skin flap did not adhere well to the granulation tissue over a period of 1 mo. The granulation bed matured and deteriorated. A subatmospheric pressure technique (vacuum-assisted closure, V.A.C. Therapy, Kinetic Concepts Inc., San Antonio, Texas 78219, USA) was utilized, and flap adherence occurred after 4 wk. This technique should be considered when dealing with severe or chronic wounds in tractable animals.
Lafortune
Maud
M
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100126, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. mlafortune@houstonzoo.org
Fleming
Gregory J
GJ
Wheeler
Jason L
JL
Göbel
Thomas
T
Mozingo
David W
DW
D000818:Animals; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D005260:Female; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D046010:Tigers / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*