Consistent presence of cutaneous artery angiosome of the caudal gluteal artery suggests the usefulness of a caudal gluteal axial pattern flap in dogs

Objective: The purpose of this study was to define the angiosome of a cutaneous artery arising from the caudal gluteal artery and identify landmarks for its use as an axial pattern flap.

Methods: This was an experimental anatomic study done between July 2019 and July 2021 with a retrospective review of CT scans. Twenty postcontrast CT scans in client-owned dogs, unrelated to this study, were evaluated for identification of a potential angiosome over the hip region. Additionally, 6 cadavers received injections of barium sulphate into the internal iliac arteries. The skin over the cadaver hindlimbs was evaluated for cutaneous angiosomes via contrast radiography.

Results: The direct cutaneous artery of the caudal gluteal artery was present in 20/20 CT scans. The artery traveled through the fat to hypodermis in a dorsal to ventral direction and the path of the artery had mild variation of its location relative to the greater trochanter between patients. Externally, the direct cutaneous artery traveled from the tail base to the greater trochanter region in all cadavers. The angiosome of the artery extended along the hypodermis to at least the proximal fourth of the femur.

Conclusions: The cutaneous angiosome of the caudal gluteal artery was present in all dogs evaluated in the study.

Clinical relevance: The cutaneous artery from the caudal gluteal artery may be useful in clinical reconstruction of wounds on the tail, perineum, and sacral region as a caudal gluteal axial pattern flap.