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Veterinary surgery : VS2025; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14220

Use of full-thickness mesh grafts and full-thickness meek micrografts in five horses with ear skin defects caused by trauma or neoplasm resection.

Abstract: To report the management and outcomes of five horses with ear skin defects treated with the use of full-thickness mesh grafts and full-thickness Meek micrografts. Methods: Five horses with acute or granulating pinna skin wounds. Methods: Short case series. Methods: A full-thickness graft was harvested from the pectoral region under general anesthesia. The sheet graft was stretched on a sterile plastic board with the epidermal side facing down. The subcutaneous fat and fascia were removed by sharp dissection. The skin graft was then meshed by hand or using a block mesher, or manually cut into micrografts, and transferred to the ear wounds. Cyanoacrylate glue or staples were used to fixate the graft. Immobilization was achieved with a thermoplastic splint, stockinette and an adhesive elastic bandage. Results: A full-thickness meshed sheet graft was used in two horses to cover a fresh or granulating degloving wound, and in two horses to cover a fresh skin defect after excision of a cutaneous neoplasm. A full-thickness Meek micrograft was used in one horse to cover a granulating degloving wound. Complete acceptance of the graft was achieved in all five cases within 2 weeks after grafting, with a good to excellent cosmetic appearance and retained function of the pinna. Conclusions: Full-thickness meshed sheet grafts or full-thickness Meek micrografts provide an effective treatment for ear skin defects with an excellent outcome regardless of etiology.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2025-01-27 PubMed ID: 39868812DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14220Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article documents a study on the use of full-thickness mesh grafts and full-thickness Meek micrografts in managing ear skin defects in horses. The grafting treatments, used for wounds caused by trauma or tumor removal, were found to be effective with successful acceptance and a good cosmetic outcome.

Methods Used in the Research

  • The research involved a case study of five horses who had acute or granulating ear skin defects.
  • A full-thickness graft was harvested from each horse’s pectoral region under general anesthesia.
  • The epidermal side of the graft was faced down on a sterile plastic board and then subcutaneous fat and fascia were removed via sharp dissection.
  • According to the nature and need, the skin graft was meshed by hand, used blockade masher, or manually cut into micro grafts and transferred to the ear wound.
  • The graft was fixated using cyanoacrylate glue or staples and the ear immobilized using a thermoplastic splint, stockinette, and an adhesive elastic bandage.

Findings from the Research

  • A full-thickness meshed sheet graft was used on two horses to manage fresh or granulating degloving wounds, and on two horses for skin defects post excision of a cutaneous neoplasm.
  • A full-thickness Meek micrograft was used to treat one horse with a granulating degloving wound.
  • All five cases saw complete acceptance of the graft within a fortnight after grafting
  • The cosmetic appearance was rated from good to excellent and the function of the pinna was retained.

Conclusions of the Research

  • The study concluded that full-thickness meshed sheet grafts or full-thickness Meek micrografts are effective in treating ear skin defects in horses.
  • The treatment outcome was found to be excellent, irrespective of the cause of the skin defect.

Cite This Article

APA
Resetic N, Comino F, Wilmink J, Gorvy DA. (2025). Use of full-thickness mesh grafts and full-thickness meek micrografts in five horses with ear skin defects caused by trauma or neoplasm resection. Vet Surg. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14220

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Resetic, Nina
  • University Equine Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Comino, Francesco
  • University Equine Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Wilmink, Jacintha
  • Woumarec, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Gorvy, Dylan A
  • University Equine Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Mälaren Equine Clinic, Sigtuna, Sweden.

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