Transversus abdominis muscle as a gastric or intestinal on-lay flap in two dogs and one cat

Historically, omentalisation and serosal patching have been used to augment gastrointestinal wall defects or incisions where gastrointestinal viability is of concern. This report describes the novel use of a transversus abdominis muscle on-lay flap to augment and provide support to compromised intestine in three cases. The muscle flap was used to support: the ileum following reduction of an intussusception in a dog (case 1), the gastric wall following gastric strangulation, dilation and volvulus in a diaphragmatic rupture in a cat (case 2) and the jejunum following enterotomy and full-thickness ulcer resection with primary repair in a dog (case 3). All animals were discharged within 4 days postoperatively with no short- or long-term complications reported by either the referring veterinary surgeons on routine postoperative examination or on telephone follow-up with the owners (case 1: 10 months, case 2: 30 months, case 3: 6 weeks). The creation of a flap of the transversus abdominis muscle may provide a useful alternative or adjunct to previously described techniques for supporting the gastrointestinal tract when gastrointestinal tissue viability is questionable or resection is not feasible. Further prospective clinical evaluation studies would be indicated to determine whether the muscle flap remains viable or compare whether this technique should be recommended over conventional methods.