Use of an axial pattern skin flap based on the cranial cutaneous branch of the saphenous artery in the dog

Abstract

SummaryObjective: To report the use of an axial pattern flap based on the cranial cutaneous branch of the saphenous artery to close a skin defect left on the medial crus after mast cell tumour removal.Case report: A seven-year-old, 32.41 kg, neutered male mixed-breed dog had a mast cell tumour incompletely excised from the left medial crus. The resulting 6 cm linear scar was excised with 2 cm wide margins and one fascial plane for deep margins. An axial pattern skin flap incorporating the cranial cutaneous branch of the saphenous artery was used to close the resultant skin defect.Results: The histopathology report documented clean margins and the flap survived completely. A seroma developed postoperatively, however it resolved without treatment.Clinical significance: An axial pattern skin flap based on the cranial cutaneous branch of the saphenous artery is a viable option for closing medial crus skin defects in the dog.