title: Surgical repair of severe flipper lacerations in a loggerhead, Caretta caretta, and a Kemp's ridley, Lepidochelys kempii, sea turtle.
abstract: A loggerhead, Caretta caretta, and a Kemp's ridley, Lepidochelys kempii, sea turtle were presented to the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of distal flipper injuries. The goal for both animals at presentation was to preserve limb function and avoid complete amputation. A severe full-thickness flipper laceration was successfully reapposed in the first case, and a rotational flap was used to cover exposed tissue in the second case. Limb function was improved and complete amputations were avoided in both turtles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA. dr.fauna@gmail.com
authors.forename: Melanie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Church
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Grafinger
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lewbart
authors.forename: Larry S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: Jean F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Beasley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005121:Extremities / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D022125:Lacerations / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014426:Turtles / Q000601:surgery*