Two-stage reconstruction using basic fibroblast growth factor-impregnated artificial dermis and acellular fish skin graft in a dog with distal extremity soft tissue sarcoma.

A 13-year-old Chihuahua presented with a distal forelimb soft tissue sarcoma and underwent surgical excision. To close the resulting large skin defect, a two-stage approach was performed using a basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-impregnated artificial dermis composed of collagen gelatin sponge (CGS), followed by application of an acellular fish skin graft (FSG). After 10 days of bFGF-impregnated CGS application, uniform granulation tissue had formed, and an FSG was subsequently applied. Complete epithelialization was achieved 25 days after FSG placement without additional grafting. At 320 days postoperatively, no postoperative complications or local recurrence were observed. However, given the potential risk of promoting residual tumor cell proliferation, local bFGF use in malignant tumor-associated wounds should be restricted to carefully selected cases.