Svoronou M. DVM, CSAVP/Soft Tissue Surgery, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic | Dourdas G. DVM, MSc, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic
Introduction
Squamous cell carcinoma represents 15% of feline cutaneous tumors and is the most common malignancy of the feline nasal planum. It is a locally invasive neoplasia that rarely metastasizes, and wide surgical excision is usually the treatment of choice. The cosmetic outcome after partial nasal planectomy is a major concern for cat owners. The aim of the study was to describe the surgical technique of the reconstruction of a nasal planum defect with the use of a lip-to-nose flap following a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) resection in a cat and to report the functional and cosmetic outcome.
Clinical case
An 8-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat presented with an extensive ulcerative lesion on the dorsal nasal planum. Following wide excision of the tumor, a mucocutaneous lip-to-nose flap was harvested from the upper lip and transposed via a bridging incision to the nasal planum to cover the defect.
Results
Surgery and the healing process proceeded without any complications. 9 months postoperatively the cat remains clinically healthy, and the owners satisfied with the cosmetic outcome.
Conclusions
The lip-to-nose flap can be successfully used to cover nasal planum defects following SCC resection in cats, offering an improved cosmetic outcome compared to traditional techniques.
