Angelou V. DVM, MSc, PhD, Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece | Thomas A. DVM, MBS, PhD, Assistant Professor of Small Animal Surgery, Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece | Iliadis P. DVM, MSc, Small Animal Surgery, Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece | Papazoglou L. DVM, MRCVS, Associate Professor, Companion Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Introduction
The aim of the present study is to describe 4 cases in which neoplasms in the facial region were excised and an angularis oris axial pattern flap was used for the facial recosntruction.
Materials and methods
Four angularis oris flaps were performed in two dogs and two cats following the excision of neoplasms in the facial region. The neoplasms were located in the cheek (2), nose (1) and suborbital region (1). To create the angularis oris flap, the upper border of the flap was drawn ventral to the zygomatic arch up to the midline of the wing of the atlas and for the lower border a parallel incision was drawn ventrally along the angle of the mandible.
Results
The neoplasms that were resected included mastocytoma of the labia in one dog (n=1), sarcoma of the nose in one dog (n=1), schwannoma in the cheek in one cat (n=1) and fibrosarcoma of the submandibular region in one cat (n=1). Postoperative complications included flap tip necrosis in 2 dogs (n=2) and flap edema in 1 dog (n=1). The area of necrosis was surgically excised, and healing was completed by the second intention. The cat with fibrosarcoma was euthanized 1 month after surgery due to peptic lymphoma. At follow-up, in a median time of 2 months postoperatively the flaps had completely healed with a good aesthetic result, acceptable to the owners.
Conclusions
The angularis oris axial pattern flap had very good long-term results for the closure of large facial defects with few postoperative complications and should be an alternative method for the closure of large defects where closure cannot be performed by first intention.
