SURGICAL STRATEGY FOR EXTENSIVE SKIN WOUND DEFECTS OF THE APPENDICULAR SKELETON IN DOGS AND CATS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37000/abbsl.2026.118.13Keywords:
traumatic injuries, sharp objects, skin deficit, scars, limbs, reconstructive surgery, skin stretching, skin flaps, small animals.Abstract
The study is devoted to a systematic analysis of modern surgical approaches for the management of substantial skin defects of the appendicular skeleton in dogs and cats. The review was conducted based on relevant English-language publications selected from scientometric databases. The paper analyzes the indications, advantages, and limitations of various wound closure methods, including primary, delayed, and secondary closure, as well as healing by secondary intention. Special attention is paid to the issue of tissue stretching and its impact on the course and outcome of wound healing in the distal parts of the limbs. Data on the use of skin tension-relief techniques for small and medium-sized wounds are summarized. The possibilities of using local, distant, and axial skin flaps in the reconstruction of large defects are discussed. Indications for the use of skin grafts are analyzed depending on the condition of the recipient bed and the level of vascularization. The role of muscle and myocutaneous flaps in the treatment of deep wounds with exposure of bones, tendons, or joints is highlighted separately. It is shown that the optimal choice of surgical strategy should be based on the principles of “reconstructive ladders.” Well-vascularized flaps provide higher tissue survival and better clinical outcomes.
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