title: Diaphragmatic hernia repair using a rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap in three dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical use of a pedicle flap from the rectus abdominis muscle to repair extensive diaphragmatic tears in dogs with diaphragmatic hernia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three dogs with a combination of radial and circumferential diaphragmatic tears were studied. The circumferential tear was repaired by suturing the wound edge with the edge at the abdominal wall. A pedicle flap of the rectus abdominis muscle was used for repairing the radial tear. The dogs were examined radiographically for lung and diaphragm appearance and evidence of reherniation at 10 days, and at one, two, and four months after surgery, and fluoroscopically for paradoxical motion of the diaphragm at one and four months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap was successfully used in all three dogs. The animals recovered uneventfully without evidence of reherniation during the four follow-up months. Fluoroscopic examination revealed no paradoxical motion of the diaphragm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap can be used for repairing large diaphragmatic defects in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Department of Surgery, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chantawong
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komin
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Banlunara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalpravidh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*