Genicular artery axial pattern flap for reconstruction of skin defects in 22 dogs

To report the use of the genicular artery axial pattern flap and the frequency and severity of complications in a consecutive series of clinical cases.

Medical records from one referral centre were retrospectively reviewed for cases requiring reconstruction using a genicular axial pattern flap between January 2012 and February 2018.

Twenty-two dogs were included. Skin defects ranging from 12.6 to 81 cm² (mean 32 cm² ) on the lateral and cranial crus were successfully closed using the genicular artery axial pattern flap. Average flap survival was 99.1% with two dogs developing distal flap necrosis. Minor complications occurred in eight dogs (36%) including minor wound dehiscence, seroma formation and infection. Major complications requiring further surgery occurred in three dogs (13.6%).

The genicular artery axial pattern flap is useful in the reconstruction of small- to medium-sized skin defects of the lateral and cranial crus. The flap may be more robust and offer better viability than reported previously in experimental studies.