Introduction to myocutaneous and muscle flaps.

Myocutaneous and muscle flaps provide an added dimension to reconstructive surgery in small animals. Myocutaneous flaps composed of a muscle unit and the overlying skin can be utilized for skin wound closure, especially when the additional bulk of the transplanted muscle can be utilized for padding or closure of body cavities. Alternatively, muscle units alone can be employed for a variety of conditions, including closure of defects of the thorax and abdominal cavities and management of chronic bone infections. They also facilitate bone healing when delayed unions and nonunions occur. This article discusses the newer myocutaneous flaps and muscle flaps clinically applicable in small animal surgery.