Techniques for Reconstructing Circular Skin Defects in Dogs

The development of dog-ears of redundant skin or removal of large areas of additional skin are problems often encountered when closing circular skin defects. Defects 3 cm in diameter were created along the backs of dogs. Eight techniques of reconstruction were evaluated by measuring the area of additional skin removed and length of final suture line and by counting the number of dog-ears produced. The eight techniques were linear, fusiform, double S, three point, four point, pin wheel, bow tie, and combined V closures. Based on the results of this study, the linear, combined V, and bow tie techniques provide the best closure. In general, the linear technique should be used when skin edges can be apposed without the formation of dog-ears (e.g., smaller defects). When skin edge apposition results in dog-ear formation and when there is limited skin for reconstruction surrounding the defect, the combined V technique should be used. When larger dog-ears form as the skin edges are apposed and when there is an abundance of skin surrounding the defect, the bow tie technique could be considered for closure. One-half of the bow tie technique can be used to approximate wound edges where one edge is long and curved.