Editorial Type:
Surgery

Evaluation of skin viability in dogs, using transcutaneous carbon dioxide and sensor current monitoring

Mark C. Rochat From the Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Rochat, Payne, Pope) and Veterinary Pathology (Pace) and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine (Wagner-Mann), University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Dr Rochat's present address is the Surgical Referral Service, 1105 Milwaukee Ave, Riverwoods, IL 60015.

Search for other papers by Mark C. Rochat in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DVM, MS
,
John T. Payne From the Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Rochat, Payne, Pope) and Veterinary Pathology (Pace) and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine (Wagner-Mann), University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Dr Rochat's present address is the Surgical Referral Service, 1105 Milwaukee Ave, Riverwoods, IL 60015.

Search for other papers by John T. Payne in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DVM, MS
,
Eric R. Pope From the Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Rochat, Payne, Pope) and Veterinary Pathology (Pace) and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine (Wagner-Mann), University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Dr Rochat's present address is the Surgical Referral Service, 1105 Milwaukee Ave, Riverwoods, IL 60015.

Search for other papers by Eric R. Pope in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DVM, MS
,
Colette C. Wagner-Mann From the Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Rochat, Payne, Pope) and Veterinary Pathology (Pace) and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine (Wagner-Mann), University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Dr Rochat's present address is the Surgical Referral Service, 1105 Milwaukee Ave, Riverwoods, IL 60015.

Search for other papers by Colette C. Wagner-Mann in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DVM, PhD
, and
Lanny W. Pace From the Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Rochat, Payne, Pope) and Veterinary Pathology (Pace) and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine (Wagner-Mann), University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Dr Rochat's present address is the Surgical Referral Service, 1105 Milwaukee Ave, Riverwoods, IL 60015.

Search for other papers by Lanny W. Pace in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
 DVM, PhD
Free access

SUMMARY

Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring is commonly used in human beings to assess skin viability. Little attention has been directed toward the use of transcutenaous carbon dioxide (PCO2-TC) monitoring for the same purpose. The application of PCO2-TC monitoring for evaluating skin viability in dogs was investigated.

The changes in PCO2-TC and local power reference (LPR) values were measured from 16 skin flaps created along the lateral hemithoraces of 4 dogs. Transcutaneous PPCO2 and LPR values were serially recorded from the base and apex of each flap for 12 hours. A single measurement was obtained from each flap base and apex 24 hours after surgery. Arterial blood gas analyses were obtained to compare central PCO2 values with peripheral skin PCO2 values. The flaps were observed for 4 days and then harvested for histologic examination. Full-thickness skin biopsy specimens were obtained 24 hours after surgery and when the flaps were harvested to evaluate the viability of the apex and base of the flaps. A subjective grade was assigned to all skin biopsy specimens during histologic examination.

For all measurements, a significant difference was found between the PCO2-TC values for apices and bases of the flaps. The mean PCO2-TC for all bases was 52.66 mm of Hg ± 2.24 (SEM), and the mean PCO2-TC for all apices was 106.4 mm of Hg ± 2.44. The regional carbon dioxide index (apex PCO2-TC/base PCO2-TC) was 2.02.

A significant difference was not found between the LPR values for bases and apices. The mean lpr for all bases was 253.23 mW ± 4.06, and the mean LPR for all apices was 243.53 mW ± 4.49.

A signficant difference was found between the histologic grades assigned to the collective bases and apices 4 days after creation of the flaps. A difference was not found between the collective bases and apices 24 hours after flap creation. On the basis of our findings, transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring is a useful method of evaluating skin viability in dogs.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 5249 5157 43
PDF Downloads 29 17 0
Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Issue:
01 Mar 1993
Advertisement