title: Lateral thoracic artery axial pattern flap in cats.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. hbenzioni@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hadas
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Benzioni
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shahar
authors.forename: Sigal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yudelevich
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shipov
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milgram
mesh_terms: 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*