The pinna composite flap for wound reconstruction in a dog.

OBJECTIVE To report the surgical technique and outcome of the use of a pinna composite flap for reconstruction of a wound defect following wide surgical resection of a mast cell tumor. ANIMALS A 4-year-old female spayed golden doodle. STUDY DESIGN Clinical case report. METHODS A dog with a histologically confirmed cutaneous mast-cell tumor at the base of the ear was treated with a wide surgical resection, including total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. The defect could not be closed primarily and, as a result, the defect was reconstructed with a composite pinna flap. RESULTS Partial avascular necrosis of the distal aspect of the composite flap required debridement and closure 13 days after the initial surgery. The flap was fully healed at 27 days postoperatively. The dog had facial nerve paralysis, which had not resolved by 45 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSION The surgical technique described in this report is novel. The use of the pinna as a composite flap is a novel reconstructive option for dorsal and dorsolateral head wounds.