Axial pattern flap based on the superficial brachial artery in the dog.

An axial pattern flap based on the superficial brachial artery and vein (brachial axial pattern flap) was developed on the forelimbs of five dogs. The flap was immediately transferred to a distal cutaneous defect created on the antebrachium of that limb. A control flap was elevated on the opposite limb and transferred to a similar distal site after ligation of the superficial brachial artery and vein at the base of the flap. Mean brachial axial pattern flap survival (98%) was significantly more than mean control flap survival (77%) (p less than 0.05). Results of this study suggest that the brachial axial pattern flap has potential application for closure of major cutaneous defects involving the canine antebrachium above the carpus.