Wounds Reconstruction

Question 1

• What factors affect skin tension?

Answer 1

Areas of body, breed, species, body condition

Question 2

• What are multiple relaxing incisions?

Answer 2

Multiple stab incisions parallel to the long axis

Question 3

• How can skin flaps be classified?

Answer 3

By circulation, location & composition

Question 4

• What are the two classes of circulatory skin flaps?

Answer 4

Axial pattern flap – with direct cutaneous artery & vein

Subdermal plexus flap – without direct cutaneous artery & vein

Question 5

• What are some of the common axial pattern flaps?

Answer 5

Thoracodorsal, caudal superficial epigastric

Question 6

• What are the possible types of location flaps?

Answer 6

Local – rotational & advancement

Distant – direct & indirect (tube flap)

Question 7

• What is the main advantage of a rotational flap compared to an advancement flap?

Answer 7

Introduces new loose skin into defect

Question 8

• How is the recipient bed prepared for a skin flap?

Answer 8

Free of debris, necrotic tissue & infection, excise chronic granulation bed and remove epithelialised borders

Question 9

• What types of surface are suitable for grafts?

Answer 9

Fresh granulation tissue & fresh surgical wounds

Question 10

• What are the three phases of graft taking?

Answer 10

Plasmatic inhibition, inosculation (kiss), neovascularisation

Question 11

• What types of grafts are available?

Answer 11

Full thickness & half thickness, meshed & unmeshed

Question 12

• What are the benefits of meshing a graft?

Answer 12

Can stretch graft & good drainage

Question 13

• When harvesting the graft what level do you remove it to?

Answer 13

Remove skin to level of subcutaneous tissue

Question 14

• What are the key areas of aftercare with regard to skin grafts?

Answer 14

Cover with a layer of antibiotic ointment, keep immobile, bandage until graft has taken, expect colour changes (white or black is bad news)