Comparison of the diagnostic yield of 3 and 5 mm laparoscopic liver biopsy forceps in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether 3 and 5 mm laparoscopic cup biopsy forceps provide samples of equivalent diagnostic quality in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Twelve colony cats undergoing a concurrent nutrition study. METHODS: Two biopsy forceps (3 and 5 mm) and three biopsy techniques (twist, pull, and twist + pull) were used to collect 68 laparoscopic liver samples. Biopsies were performed consecutively with the 3 and 5 mm biopsy sites adjacent to each other. Data analyzed included the number of portal triads and hepatic lobules, tissue crush and fragmentation, overall sample area (mm2 ), sample weight, and agreement regarding morphologic diagnosis. RESULTS: The 5 mm forceps provided more hepatic lobules, portal triads, and a larger tissue weight and histologic area (mm2 ) (p < .01). The twist and pull techniques provide more hepatic lobules and portal triads compared to the twist + pull technique while the twist + pull technique resulted in greater tissue crush compared to the twist technique (p = .0097). There was good agreement for morphological diagnosis between the 3 and 5 mm samples using the twist + pull technique but not for the twist or pull techniques. CONCLUSION: Liver samples can be safely collected with 3 or 5 mm laparoscopic biopsy forceps and provide sufficient tissue for histopathology analysis in cats, with minimal artifact. The diagnostic accuracy of 3 mm samples remains unknown. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although 3 mm laparoscopic cup biopsy forceps provided samples of sufficient diagnostic quality for histopathologic interpretation in cats, further studies are required to assess their diagnostic accuracy.

Excellent Agreement of In-Person Scoring versus Scoring of Digitally Recorded Simulated Suture Skills Examination.

This study's objective was to evaluate the agreement between in-person performance scores and digitally recorded assessment scores by the same examiner using a simulated suturing skill examination. With ethics approval, veterinary students underwent a simulated skills examination proctored by an in-person examiner and simultaneously digitally recorded using two wide-angle cameras mounted overtop and to the side of the surgical field. Performance scores were based on a nine-item rubric. In-person examination scores were compared for agreement with those obtained by blind review of the digital recording of the same session, by the same examiner, 6-18 months following the in-person examination. Thirty-nine students were enrolled. All rubric categories could be assessed during digital assessment of the recording from the camera mounted above the surgical area. In two instances, the side digital recording had to be reviewed to confirm correct needle holder grip. Concordance correlation between performance scores from in-person and post hoc digital assessment was excellent (r = .93). The excellent agreement between in-person and digital assessment suggests that digitally recording skills examinations can provide adequate suturing skills assessment, presenting several benefits. Digitally recorded assessment allows for anonymity, which can reduce assessor bias/favoritism, provide a record of performance that students can review and critically self-reflect upon, and reduce the number of in-person examiners required to complete surgical skills examinations. Additionally, digitally recorded assessment could become an option for students who experience anxiety performing a skills exam in the presence of an examiner.

Primary repair of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated full thickness gastrointestinal ulcers in 11 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes of dogs that underwent primary repair of gastroduodenal perforations associated with the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). A secondary objective was to identify clinicopathological findings that predisposed dogs to postoperative death. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Eleven dogs with complete gastric or duodenal perforation related to administration of an NSAID that underwent primary surgical repair. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for dogs that presented with peritonitis due to a complete gastroduodenal perforation while receiving NSAIDs between November, 2011 and January, 2021. Data collected included patient characteristics, clinical signs, clinicopathological results, surgical details, and postoperative management and outcome. RESULTS: All dogs were large breeds (mean weight 42 kg; range 22-75 kg), with a mean age of 7.35 years. Nine dogs from a total of 11 (82 %) received a concurrent corticosteroid and NSAID, or a higher dose/frequency/length of NSAID administration than recommended by the manufacturer. All gastroduodenal perforations were found in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Eight of 11 (73%) dogs survived to discharge. The median postoperative duration of follow up was 444 days (range 2-1460 days). No association was detected between ulcer size or location and mortality. CONCLUSION: Most dogs who underwent primary repair of complete gastroduodenal ulcers survived. Gastroduodenal perforations were generally due to the administration of higher or longer doses of NSAIDs, or concurrent administration of another NSAID or corticosteroid. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Primary closure may be associated with a high success rate in dogs with full thickness gastroduodenal ulcers.

Isolation of Histophilus somni and Trueperella pyogenes from a 2-month-old calf with chronic fibrosing and suppurative epididymitis.

A 2-month-old red Angus crossbred calf was evaluated for a severely swollen scrotum, approximately 30 cm in diameter. Culture of the lesion isolated both Trueperella pyogenes and Histophilus somni. A final diagnosis based on the histopathology report was chronic fibrosing epididymitis with testicular atrophy and mild orchitis.

Isolement d' Histophilus somni et de Trueperella pyogenes d'un veau âgé de 2 mois avec une épididymite suppurative et fibrosante chronique. Un veau croisé Angus rouge âgé de 2 mois fut évalué pour un scrotum sévèrement enflé, mesurant approximativement 30 cm de diamètre. Une culture de la lésion a permis d'isoler Truepurella pyogenes et Histophilus somni. Le diagnostic final basé sur le rapport de l'examen histopathologique était une épididymite fibrosante chronique avec atrophie testiculaire et orchite modérée.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Long-term clinical outcomes of dogs with single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts attenuated with thin film banding or ameroid ring constrictors.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term clinical outcomes of dogs with single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (CEHPSS) treated with thin film banding (TFB) consisting of polyolefin fiber or ameroid ring constrictor (ARC) placement in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective, two-center clinical study. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 123) with single CEHPSS undergoing gradual attenuation via TFB (n = 85) or ARC (n = 38). METHODS: Medical records of dogs with CEHPSS were reviewed. Follow-up data were collected from the referring veterinarian and/or owner via standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed to compare short-term mortality rate and long-term outcome (>6 months). RESULTS: Dogs in the TFB group were older than dogs in the ARC group (median age, 19 vs 12 months, respectively; P = .01). There was no difference in survival to discharge between dogs in the TFB (81/85 [95.3%]) and ARC (37/38 [97.4%]; P > .99) groups. Preoperative levetiracetam was more frequently administered to dogs treated with TFB (64/85 [75.3%]) than to dogs treated with ARC (15/38 [39.5%;] P = .0002). Postoperative seizures were reported in 10 (8.1%) dogs; their prevalence did not differ between dogs treated with TFB (9/85 [10.6%]) and dogs treated with ARC (1/38 [2.6%]; P = .17). Median follow-up time for dogs treated with TFB (58.0 months, range 8-130) and ARC (63.3 months, range 7-138; P = .24) did not differ. CONCLUSION: Gradual attenuation of a single CEHPSS with either TFB or ARC resulted in similar long-term clinical outcomes and low postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Thin film banding (polyolefin fiber) offers an alternative leading to clinical outcomes similar to ARC in dogs with single CEHPSS.