Chapter 25 - Principles fo Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Flashcards
What is the primary goal of plastic and reconstructive surgery as described in the text?
Achieving wound closure and restoring function.
Why is understanding the general process of wound healing critical in equine surgery?
It forms the basis for developing an effective treatment plan.
What factors must be considered when deciding on wound management?
Type of injury, location, degree of contamination, age of the wound, integrity of blood supply, and skin loss.
What is a significant challenge in managing soft tissue injuries in horses compared to humans?
The physical size of equine patients and their environment.
What are the different methods of wound closure mentioned in the text?
Primary closure,
delayed primary closure,
secondary closure,
healing by second intention.
When should immediate wound closure be considered?
For clean or clean-contaminated wounds with adequate blood supply.
What mistake do equine practitioners often make in early wound management?
Premature closure of heavily traumatized or contaminated wounds.
How long should wounds be managed before considering closure for better outcomes?
1 to 3 days.
What is associated with delayed closure after the appearance of granulation tissue?
Reduced wound sepsis.
What is often the best treatment option for wounds with significant skin deficits?
Secondary closure or open wound management.
What complications may arise from second-intention healing?
Exuberant granulation tissue and delays in contraction and epithelialization.
How can reconstructive and skin-mobilizing techniques help in wound management?
They minimize cosmetic and functional shortcomings.
What are some clinical situations where reconstructive procedures are utilized besides traumatic wounds?
Planned excision of skin lesions.
What are the benefits of using reconstructive procedures in wound management?
Improved cosmetic appearance, function, and reduced healing time.
What types of vessels supply the skin in mammals?
Perforating musculocutaneous vessels
and direct cutaneous vessels.
How is horse skin primarily supplied?
By direct cutaneous arteries.
What is the role of the superficial plexus mentioned in the text?
It is part of the thermoregulatory system and maintains blood supply integrity.
What are skin flaps and what role do they play in equine surgery?
Skin flaps are tissue sections used in reconstructive surgery to cover defects and improve healing.
How do viscoelastic properties of skin influence surgical outcomes?
They affect how skin responds to tension and stress, influencing incision healing.
What are the three structural components of skin that provide its properties?
Collagen, elastic fibers, and ground substance (primarily proteoglycans).
Define static tension in the context of skin properties.
Tension that results from the skin clinging to the underlying body.
How do dynamic tension and static tension differ?
Dynamic tension is caused by underlying muscle pull, resulting in visible skin wrinkles.
What are Langer lines, and why are they significant in surgery?
Lines of maximal tension that guide incision placement to improve healing and minimize scarring.
How does skin anisotropy influence surgical incisions?
It affects how skin tension reacts to movement and surgical cuts.