Use of a coccygeal axial pattern flap for reconstruction following tumour excision in a cat

A 6-year-old male castrated Chartreux cat was referred for recurrence of an injection site sarcoma at the base of the tail 7 months after the initial surgery. Upon presentation, the physical examination was unremarkable except for a non-painful, subcutaneous mass, 2 cm in diameter, firmly attached to the underlying tissue on the left lateral side of the tail base. Complete blood count, biochemistry and urinalysis were within normal limits; thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound showed no evidence of metastatic disease. After removing the mass with 3 cm margins laterally and two deep fascial planes, the defect was reconstructed after tail amputation using a coccygeal axial pattern flap based on the lateral coccygeal arteries and veins. There were no complications with wound healing and the only visible change was a difference in hair coat direction at the 1 month re-check. This is the first report to describe the utility and feasibility of the coccygeal axial pattern flap to reconstruct a large cutaneous defect over the caudodorsal pelvic region in a cat.