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.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100126, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. mlafortune@houstonzoo.org
Maud
M
Lafortune
Gregory J
GJ
Fleming
Jason L
JL
Wheeler
Thomas
T
Göbel
David W
DW
Mozingo
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*