Axial Pattern and Myocutaneous Flaps Flashcards
How much can you rotate an axial pattern flap?
180 degrees
What are the two braod options when elevating an axial pattern flap?
- Penisular flap - Intact skin at its base
- Island flap - Skin incised along all edges and flap is rotated around vascular base
What is a composite flap?
An axial pattern flap composed of skin as well as muscle, bone or cartilage
What is the reported overall survival rate of axial pattern flaps?
87 - 100%
List some differences between cats and dogs in regard to skin anatomy and wound healing
- Dogs have a much higher density of tertiary and higher order vessels than cats (less cutaneous perfusion to the uninjured skin of cats)
- Granulation tissues takes half as long to form in cats and begins at the periphery
- Removal of SQ reduces the rate of epithelialisation, especially in cats (recommended to preserve SQ with harvesting axial pattern flaps in cats)
Name the following axial pattern flaps
- 1 = Caudal auricular
- 2 = Omocervical
- 3 = Thoracodorsal
- 4 = Caudal superficial epigastric
- 5 = Lateral genicular
- 6 = Deep circumflex iliac
- 7 = Lateral caudal
- 8 = Superficial brachial
Describe the Omocervical axila pattern flap
what vessel is it base one, anatomical landmarks, maximum length, potential uses
- Based on superficial cervical branch of the omocervical artery and vein (originates at level of prescap LN and courses cranially)
- Caudal incision from acromion dorsally along scapular spine
- Cranial incision parallel and equidistant from cranial edge of scapula
- Can extend to contralateral scapulohumeral joint
Potential uses: Face, ear, cervical, shoulder, axillary defects
Describe the Thoracodorsal axial pattern flap
what vessel is it base one, anatomical landmarks, maximum length, potential uses
- Based on cutaneous branch of thoracodorsal artery and vein
- Cranial incision from acromion dorsally along scapular spine
- Caudal incision parallel and equidistant from caudal shoulder depression
- Can extend to contralateral scapulohumeral joint
- Elevated under cutaneous trunci muscle
Potential uses: Thoracic, forelimb, shoulder, axillary defects
Describe the dorsal deep circumflex iliac axial pattern flap
what vessel is it base one, anatomical landmarks, maximum length, potential uses
- Based on deep circumflex iliac artery and vein which exit lateral abdominal wall cranioventral to wing of ilium and divides into dorsal and ventral branch
- Base of flap at ventral extent of cranial edge of ilium
- Caudal incision midway between wing of ilium and greater trochanter extending dorsally
- Cranial incision parallel and equidistant from wing of ilium
- Can be extended to contralateral paralumbar or flank fold
- Elevated below cutaneous trunci muscle
Potential uses: ipsilateral flank, lateral lumbar, pelvic lateromedial thigh, greater trochnater defects
Describe the ventral deep circumflex axial pattern flap
what vessel is it base one, anatomical landmarks, maximum length, potential uses
- Based on the ventral branch, exiting at same point as dorsal branch but extending down lateral flank and craniolateral thigh
- Landmarks for base and width identical to dorsal
- Caudal incison runs ventrally in a line parallel to cranial border of femoral shaft
- Cranial incision parallel
- Can extend to proximal edge of patella
Potential uses: Lateral abdominal wall, pelvic, sacral
Describe the caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flap
what vessel is it base one, anatomical landmarks, maximum length, potential uses
- External pudendal artery and vein exit caudal inguinal canal, provide ventral brance to labia/scrotum and arches cranially to form caudal superficial epigastric
- Ventral midline incision
- Parallel incision laterally and equidistant to teats
- Can extend cranially to include 2nd mammary gland
- Elevated below supramammarius muscle
Potential uses: Caudal abdominal, flank, inguinal, preputial, perineal, thigh, stifle defects
90% of dogs have complete flap survival
Describe the cranial superficial epigastric axial pattern flap
what vessel is it base one, anatomical landmarks, maximum length, potential uses
- Based on short cutaneous braches of cranial superficial epigastric. Artery exits through rectus abdominis caudoventral to thoracic cage and 2-4cm lateral to midline
- Ventral midline incision from just caudal to thoracic cage extending caudally
- Lateral parallel incision equidistant from 3rd teat
- Can extend to include mammary 3, 4 and sometimes 5
- Elevated below panniculus muscle
Potential uses: Sternal defects
Describe the angularis oris axial pattern flap
what vessel is it base one, anatomical landmarks, maximum length, potential uses
- Based on angularis oris artery and vein with branches of inferior and superior labial arteries
- Based at labial commisure
- Dorsal incision parallel to ventral zygomatic arch to level of vertical ear canal
- Ventral incision parallel with ventral aspect of mandibular ramus
- Can extend to wing of atlas but more commonly to vertical ear canal
- Can also be created as a noncutaneous rectangular island flap based on the buccal mucosa
Potential uses: Palatal, facial, nasal defects
What important underlying structures may be encountered when elevating the angularis oris axial parrern flap?
- Facial nerve (dorsal, ventral and auriculopalpebral branches)
- Auriculotemporal nerve
- Parotid salivary duct
- facial vein
Describe the superficial temporal axial pattern flap
what vessel is it base one, anatomical landmarks, maximum length, potential uses
- Based on superficial temporal artery
- Based on caudal aspect of zygomatic arch caudally and lateral aspect of orbital rim cranially
- Extends dorsally to maximal length at dorsal aspect of contralateral orbital rim
- Thin frontalis muscle elevated with flap
Potential uses: Maxillofacial, eyelid defects