PERIOCULAR CUTANEOUS MAST CELL TUMORS IN THREE CATS: SURGICAL APPROACH AND LONG TERM FOLLOW-UP.

To describe surgical approach and long term follow up in three cases of feline periocular cutaneous mast cells tumor (CMCT). Signalment and history, clinical features, surgical approaches, histological evaluations and long term follow up in three cats with periocular cutaneous mast cell tumor were recorded. En bloc resection of CMCT by removing > 50% of the upper lid in two cases and > 40% of the lower lid with medial canthus were performed without other adjunctive treatment for tumor. The lids defect was reconstructed with a transposition skin flaps derived from the frontal region. During reconstruction upper palpebral or third eyelid conjunctiva were dissected and sutured with continuous suture over the cutaneous edge of the surgical wound in order to avoid trichiasis. Post-surgical evaluations at 2, 4 and 6 months were recorded in all cases. All mast cell tumors were restricted to the eyelids. Complete excision were performed in all cases but one. Satisfactory cosmetic and functional results were achieved in all cats. All CMCTs were classified as low- grade based on histopathology. Local recurrence and metastatic disease were not detected during minimum follow-up of 6 months (media follow-up time of 670 days). In according with previous reported series, also in our cases surgical approach was an effective treatment option in cats, even following incomplete surgical excision.