Axial Pattern Flaps

Front 1

Cervical cutaneous br. of omocervical a.

Back 1

Antamoical Landmarks:
Spine of the scapula
Cr. edge of the scapula
Vessel originates at superficial cervical lymph node.

Reference Incisions:
Caudal incision: spine of the scapula in a dorsal direction
Cr. incision: parallel to the cd. incision equal to the distance between scapular spine and cr. scapular edge (cr. shoulder depression)
Flap length: variable; contralat. scapulohumeral jt.

Potential Uses:
Facial defects
Ear reconstr.
Cervical defects
Shoulder defects
Axillary defects

Front 2

Thoracodorsal a.

Back 2

Anatomical Landmarks:
Spine of the scapula
Caudal edge of the scapula(caudal shoulder depression)
Dog in lateral recumbency, skin in natural position, thoracic limb in relaxed extension
Vessel originates at cd. shoulder depression at a level parallel to dorsal pt. of acromion

Reference incisions:
Cr. incision: spine of scapula in a dorsal direction
Cd. incision: parallel to cr. incision, equal distance from spine to cd. shoulder depression (cd. border of scapula)
Flap length: variable; can survive ventral to contralat. scapulohumeral jt.

Potential Uses:
Forelimb defects
Shoulder defects
Axillary defects
Thoracic defects

Front 3

Superficial brachial a.

Back 3

Anatomical Landmarks:
Diaphysis of humerus
Greater tubercle of humerus
Flexor surface of elbow

Reference Incisions:
Incision lines: parallel shaft of humerus. Flap is progressively tapered approaching greater tubercle of humerus.
Flap base includes flexor surface of elbow, cr. 1/3.
Flap length: variable; flap ends at level of greater tubercle.

Potential Uses:
Antebrachial defects
Elbow defects

Front 4

Caudal superficial epigastric a.

Back 4

Anatomical Landmarks:
Ventral midline (abd.)
Medial base of prepuce in male
Mammary teats

Reference Incisions:
Medial incision: abd. midline
In male dogs, base of prepuce is included in the flap in order to preserve adj. epigastric vasculature.
Lateral incision: parallel to medial incision, an equal distance laterally from the mammary teats
Flap length: variable; may include the last four glands and adj. skin

Potential Uses:
Flank defects
Inner thigh defects
Perineal area
Prepucial area
Stifle area

Front 5

Deep circumflex iliac a. (dorsal br.)

Back 5

Anatomical Landmarks:

Cranial edge of wing of ilium
Greater trochanter
Vessel originates at a point cranioventral to wing of ilium.
Reference Incisions:

Cd. incision: midway b/w cd. egde of wing of ilium & greater trochanter
Cranial incision: parallel to cd. incision, equal to distance b/w cd. incision and cr. edge of wing of ilium
Flap length: dorsal to contralat. flank fold
Potential Uses:

Thoracic defects
Lat. abd. wall defects
Flank defects
Lateral/medial thigh defects
Defects over greater trochanter

Front 6

Deep circumflex iliac a. (ventral br.)

Back 6

Anatomical Landmarks:
Anatomic landmarks are same as for dorsal br. of deep circumflex iliac a.
Shaft of femur

Reference Incisions:
Cd. incision: extends distally, cr. to cr. border of femoral shaft
Cr. incision: parallel to cd. incision
Flap length: prox. to patella

Potential Uses:
Lat. abd. wall defects
Pelvic defects
Sacral defects – as an island arterial flap

Front 7

Genicular a.

Back 7

Anatomical Landmarks:
Patella
Tibial tuberosity
Greater trochanter

Reference Insicions:
Base of the flap: 1 cm prox. to the patella & 1 cm distal to the tibial tuberosity (laterally)
Flap borders: extend caudodorsally parallel to the femoral shaft.
Flap terminates at the base of the greater trochanter of the femur.

Potential Uses:
Lateral or medial aspect of the lower limb, from the stifle to the tibiotarsal jt.