Surgical implications of extensibility of the skin of the equine carpus
Cartee, R.E.; Cowles, W.R.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 39(3): 387-392
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 637387 Document Number: 129319
To determine the lines of maximum extensibility of the skin over the equine carpus, round puncture wounds were made 2.0 cm apart over the carpal area of 5 horses (7 carpi). The direction of elongation of the round puncture wound was observed and photographed. Lines of maximum extensibility that occurred over the surfaces of the equine carpus were determined to be proximal to distal, except in a small area over the accessory carpal bone where a state of anisotropism existed. In an immobilized carpus, direction of a surgical incision was not as important as it was in a mobile carpus, in which the incision should parallel the lines of maximum extensibility. This was especially true on the dorsal, lateral, and medial surfaces of the carpus. Curved or straight surgical incisions could be made on the palmar side of the carpus, but straight incisions parallel to these lines should be made on the dorsal, lateral, and medial surfaces of the carpus.