An axial pattern flap based on the dorsal perineal artery in a cat

A 3-year-old male neutered Domestic Shorthair cat was evaluated for a skin mass of approximately 2 × 3 cm arising from the right dorsolateral aspect of the tail at the junction between the proximal and middle one-thirds of the tail length. Incisional biopsy sample was consistent with granulomatous inflammation. The granuloma was surgically excised with 5 mm margins of normal skin. The resulting defect was closed using an axial pattern flap based on a cutaneous branch of the dorsal perineal artery and augmented by a local subdermal plexus transposition flap. There was 100% survival of the flaps at postoperative days 7, 15 and 21.

We describe an axial pattern flap based on a cutaneous branch of the dorsal perineal artery in a cat. This flap offers surgeons a viable option for closing skin defects situated on the proximal one-third of the tail and a practical alternative to tail amputation.