Recognition of complication of superficial brachial axial pattern flap in a dog

A 13-year-old female 30 kg Korean Jin-do dog was presented with severe defects due to vasculitis and perivascular dermatitis at the left antebrachium area. A left superficial brachial axial pattern flap was elevated to cover the defect and the wound was covered. However, one week post surgery, the flap was survived about 1/3 of total flap length. Remaining two thirds defects were performed by the free skin mesh graft as an additional method. After ten days, the entire wound was achieved completely. Skin flaps carry own blood supply in other hands, the flap method is dependent upon continuation of adequate circulation until vascularization takes place. Because they are much thicker than other grafts, this is a slower process and the flap method is vulnerable to problems with kinking or tension of the base. According to this case, a practician has to consider length of flap and thickness in order to vascular perfusion when superficial brachial axial pattern flap is performed in a dog.