THE USE OF A BREAST FLAP IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SKIN DEFECTS IN THE ELBOW JOINT AREA IN DOGS
The article considers the use of a full-layer return breast flap in the reconstruction of canine skin defects in the elbow joint area after elbow hygroma excision when there are chronic wounds in the elbow joint area. A retrospective evaluation of primary and long-term results of surgical intervention are presented. Six clinical cases are considered. In the early postoperative period on day 2-3, edema of the tissues of the return flap and active transudation through the drainage system was noted in all the cases. Edema of the flap abated on the 7-8th day. In the early postoperative period the condition of the displaced flap was assessed as good in 3 of 6 cases. In one case, local necrosis of the skin flap of 3.0 sm diameter and suture failure in the area of perifocal inflammation was detected. The suture failure was revealed in two cases with a chronic wound in the elbow appendage. Subsequently, it needed surgical treatment and installing external fixation device for immobilization of the elbow joint for the time till the suture coalesce. When considering the results of the wound reconstruction in the long-term period (on 40-180 days) all the dogs had a cosmetic defect in the form of an excessive cutaneous covering in the area of the operating wound. Despite the described complications, the use of a breast tissue flap for reconstruction of cutaneous defects in the area of elbow joint may be considered effective and less traumatic comparing to other displaced return full-layer flaps.