Complications of Reconstructive Surgery in Companion Animals

Factors that affect wound healing include the general health of the patient, nutritional status, and wound factors. Treatments such as corticosteroids, chemotherapy, or radiation are also common causes of delayed healing. Multimodal cancer treatment has become more common and the veterinary surgeon may be required to perform reconstructive procedures on an animal that has received or will receive chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. Complications of reconstructive cutaneous procedures include seroma, hematoma formation, infection, wound dehiscence, distal tip necrosis of skin flaps, paresthesia, and free skin graft failure. Procedures such as maxillectomy or hemipelvectomy also have complications. Knowledge of common complications can facilitate client education and even allow the surgeon to avoid these complications.