Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Lip flap surgery to fix large nose and face wounds in dogs
By Pavletic, Michael M·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2021·Department of Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Full-thickness labial flaps to reconstruct facial defects in four dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four dogs with facial defects that exposed their nasal cavities were treated using a surgical technique that involved moving skin from the upper lip to reconstruct their noses. One dog had a mast cell tumor removed, and the surgery helped restore the shape and function of its nostril. In the other three dogs, similar techniques were used to close their facial defects and improve their nasal function. All dogs showed positive outcomes, with successful restoration of their nostrils and facial appearance.
People also search for: dog facial surgery · dog nasal cavity reconstruction · mast cell tumor treatment in dogs · dog nostril problems
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of the upper lip for reconstruction of the external nose and closure of large facial defects in dogs. ANIMALS: Four dogs with facial defects with exposure of the underlying nasal cavity. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. METHODS: A variation of the lip-to-lid technique was used to reconstruct one-half of the external nose after resection of a mast cell tumor in one dog. A full-thickness labial transposition flap (upper lip) was used to reconstruct facial and nasal defects exposing the nasal cavity. A cylindrical mucosal graft was employed in the restoration of nostril patency in one dog. RESULTS: The lip-to-lid variation (also known as lip-to-nose) restored the right nostril and nasal planum after mast cell tumor resection in one dog. In three dogs, the nasal defects were reconstructed with full-thickness upper labial transposition flaps. Restoration of nostril patency in one dog was also aided by the cylindrical mucosal graft. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The full-thickness labial transposition flap and the lip-to-lid flap variation were successfully used to reconstruct major defects of the external nose and facial defects involving the nasal cavity. CONCLUSION: Composite flaps of the upper lip should be considered to close problematic nasocutaneous fistulas and restore function to the external nose. The upper lip provides a source of mucosa to restore patency of stenotic nares or obstructed nostrils.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33476059/