Rectus Abdominis Free Muscle Flap For Reconstruction In Nine Dogs

Objective-To evaluate the clinical use and outcome of a rectus abdominis microvascular free flap for wound closure in dogs.Study Design-Retrospective case series.Animals-Dogs (n = 9) with complex extremity or oral wounds.Methods-Medical records (2002-2006) of dogs that had a rectus abdominis free tissue transfer to close an extremity or oral wound were reviewed.Results-Nine dogs were identified: 5 had distal extremity wounds, 3 had oral palatal defects, and I had a large hygroma excised. A rectus abdominis free tissue transfer with a caudal epigastric vascular pedicle was successfully used for management of these wounds. No major complications occurred with the donor site and a good cosmetic and functional outcome occurred in all dogs.Conclusion-The rectus abdominis is a versatile muscle that can be used for reconstructing cutaneous and oral defects with repeatable success. Clinical Relevance-Free tissue transfer of the rectus abdominis muscle is a clinically useful technique for closure of a variety of difficult soft tissue wounds. (c) Copyright 2007 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.