Enxerto cutâneo em semeadura associado à malha não aderente em membro pélvico de um cão / Island skin graft associated with non-adherent mesh in a dog's pelvic limb

ABSTRACT

Background: Large skin defects are caused by tumor excision, making appropriate reconstruction and complete healingof the lesion a challenge for surgeons. There are some difficulties in reaching these goals, especially in cases of surgicalwound in the limbs, due to the scarce amount of skin and its reduced elasticity, which limit the possibility of flaps whencompared to the head, neck, and trunk. This study reports a case of wound closure on the lateral skin in the femoral regionof a dog’s pelvic limb via island skin graft associated with the implantation of a non-adherent cellulose acetate mesh andintensive postoperative care.Case An 8-year-old Rottweiler female dog was attended at Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná’s Veterinary Clinic(CVE) in Curitiba, Paraná, presenting a tumor located laterocaudally to the right stifle joint. After preoperative examinations the patient underwent tumor surgery; however, two more surgical procedures were required due to suture dehiscence in the region, which resulted in increased wound size. At first, the wound was treated for granulation tissue to beformed. Subsequently, the island skin grafting technique was chosen to close the wound, associated with the implantationof a non-adherent cellulose acetate mesh imbibed with petrolatum emulsion to keep the grafted fragments in place. Themesh was fixed in a simple interrupted suture pattern using 2-0 nylon thread. The lateral regions of the chest and abdomen were chosen as donor skin beds due to their large dimensions, skin elasticity, and ease in defect reconstruction. Thefragments were obtained using a 10-mm biopsy punch and scalpel, and the defects were sutured in a simple interruptedpattern using 2-0 nylon thread. The patient remained hospitalized for movement restriction and postoperative monitoringfor 72 h, and the bandage remained untouched during this time interval. Thereafter, the patient...