title: Lateral caudal axial pattern flap in 13 dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the frequency and extent of complications associated with lateral caudal axial pattern flaps used to cover large traumatic or excision skin defects on the dorsum, gluteal, and perineal region in 13 dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen client-owned dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records from 8 institutions were reviewed for dogs treated with a lateral caudal axial pattern flap, including cases in which the procedure was combined with other reconstructive techniques. The flap length relative to the tail length, location of tail skin incision, size and cause of the defect, and short- and long-term complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen dogs were included, 11 with tumors and 2 with traumatic skin loss. The mean estimated length of the flap relative to tail length was 51% (range 33-70%). Four dogs had wound complications. This included 2 dogs with minor postoperative wound complications (mild distal dehiscence) that did not require surgical revision and 2 dogs with major complications that required surgical revision. Two of these 4 dogs had distal flap necrosis, one was revised surgically and one was managed conservatively. In these 2 dogs, the flap length was estimated as 80% and 65% of the tail length, respectively. At 30 days, flaps in all dogs were completely healed. No long-term complications were recorded in any dog. For some dogs, the reconstruction was not obvious, with only the change in hair direction and color noticeable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lateral caudal axial pattern flap is a reconstructive option for gluteal, dorsal, and perineal skin defects in dogs. Distal flap necrosis and dehiscence due to wound infection occurred in 4 dogs that required additional wound care but not always surgical revision.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Montinaro
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Massari
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vezzoni
authors.affiliation: Alta Vista Animal Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Julius M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Liptak
authors.affiliation: The Australian Animal Cancer Foundation, Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Rod C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Straw
authors.affiliation: Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
authors.forename: Larie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Specialized Veterinary Services, Fort Myers, Florida.
authors.forename: Ryan P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Cavanaugh
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuft University, North Grafton, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.affiliation: Davies Veterinary Specialists, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Ronan S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buracco
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria Nerviano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Romanelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002081:Buttocks / Q000601:surgery; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010502:Perineum / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary