Use of saphenous artery axial pattern flap for the treatment of pelvic limb extremity lesions with extensive tissue loss in dogs - case report

ABSTRACT The loss of a vast area of tissue requires reconstructive surgery. For the reconstruction of pelvic limb (PL) extremities, the saphenous artery axial pattern flap is recommended. In this report, two dogs received the flap for reconstruction of PL extremities with extensive tissue loss. The first case was due to a degloving injury sustained in a car accident, while the second was due to surgical excision of a neurofibrosarcoma. In both cases, a tissue incision containing the skin, subcutaneous tissue and saphenous artery was made from the medial femorotibial region of the injured limb to a few centimeters distal to the tibia, in a ‘U’ shape and subsequently rotated to cover the area with tissue exposure. Both flaps showed good healing, with no signs of necrosis. Three years after surgery, the graft site presented a good appearance, was well-covered, with no wounds, lesions or tissue necrosis, and good amplitude of pelvic limb movement. Therefore, it can be affirmed that the use of this technique can be safely performed in areas with tissue loss in the pelvic limbs caused by different types of injuries.