An axial pattern flap based on the dorsal perineal artery in a cat.
A 3-year-old male neutered Domestic Shorthair cat was evaluated for a skin mass of approximately 2 × 3 cm arising from the right dorsolateral aspect of the tail at the junction between the proximal and middle one-thirds of the tail length. Incisional biopsy sample was consistent with granulomatous inflammation. The granuloma was surgically excised with 5 mm margins of normal skin. The resulting defect was closed using an axial pattern flap based on a cutaneous branch of the dorsal perineal artery and augmented by a local subdermal plexus transposition flap. There was 100% survival of the flaps at postoperative days 7, 15 and 21.



We describe an axial pattern flap based on a cutaneous branch of the dorsal perineal artery in a cat. This flap offers surgeons a viable option for closing skin defects situated on the proximal one-third of the tail and a practical alternative to tail amputation.
The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK.
A P
AP
Murdoch
AQUIVET, Clinique Veterinaire, Bordeaux, France.
J G
JG
Grand
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000601:surgery*; D006099:Granuloma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*; D013623:Tail / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
cats; dorsal perineal artery; tail; wounds