Lateral thoracic artery axial pattern flap in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the location of the lateral thoracic artery (LTA), determine dimensions of an axial pattern flap based on this artery, and report use of this flap in 2 cats.


METHODS
Ex vivo study and case reports.


METHODS
Cat cadavers (n=8); cats (n=2) with thoracic limb skin defects.


METHODS
Dissection of the LTA was carried out on 1 side of each cadaver and the contralateral side was used for injection studies. In 4 specimens, the LTA was cannulated and injected with positive contrast material and the flap was raised and radiographed. In 4 specimens, the flap was injected with methylene blue. Adequacy of flap injection was subjectively evaluated and leakage of methylene blue from the cut edge was noted.


RESULTS
The cutaneous location of the LTA caudal to the triceps muscle was confirmed. Mean flap size was 8.7 cm x 15.5 cm for a mature, average-sized cat. Perfusion of the entire flap was demonstrated and viability of the flap was confirmed in 2 clinical cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The LTA flap is useful for repair of skin defects of the brachium and antebrachium in cats.


CONCLUSIONS
The LTA flap is an alternative technique for repair of skin defects involving the thoracic limb of cats.
Benzioni
Hadas
H
Department of Surgery, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. hbenzioni@gmail.com
Shahar
Ron
R
Yudelevich
Sigal
S
Shipov
Anna
A
Milgram
Joshua
J
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000792:Angiography / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000601:surgery*