LIP RECONSTRUCTION, INTRAORAL BARRIER AND AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) APPLICATION IN A DOG WITH LIP NECROSIS DUE TO SNAKE BITE

The study case consisted of a 2-year-old male Jack Russell mixed breed dog with a delayed wound due to snake bite. The necrosis detected on clinical examination in the area starting from the left maxillary and mandibular canine teeth level to the anterior part of the ear base, the upper and lower lips including the left maxillary and mandibular teeth, and the cheek skin, with tissue loss. In the blood sample collected, platelets were recorded at 44 (x109 /L); however, the analysis of PRP revealed an approximately sixfold rise, with platelet levels reaching 240 (x109 /L). During the first 15 days, medical treatment was used to prepare the wound for surgery. Caudal Auricular Axial Pattern Flap technique was used in the first operation, and Pedicle Advancement Flap technique was used in the second operation. After both operations, dressings with ointments and systemic treatment continued. At the end of first operation, as a result of the large donor tissue area and the resulting inadequate nutrition and the mechanical irritation created by the patient's tongue, tissue rejection and necrosis occurred at the tip of the flap applied to the lower jaw at the level of the mandibulary canine tooth, leading to loss of flap tissue. Therefore, to prevent tissue necrosis, accelerate flap acceptance and ensure flap vitality, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was applied one week postoperatively. It was concluded that PRP is a usefull method that accelerate angiogenesis, epithelialization, acceptance of the flap and to prevent flap necrosis.