Quantification of skin wound tension using a newly designed wound tensiometer.

OBJECTIVE: To (i) quantitatively measure wound tension in experimental skin wounds using a newly developed wound tensiometer and (ii) establish reference values for primary skin wound closure in medium- and large-breed dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental cadaveric study. ANIMAL POPULATION: Nineteen dogs of medium to large breeds (BW 20 to 40 kg). METHODS: Elliptical skin wounds of different sizes were created on the chest and abdomen. The wounds were gradually enlarged. Experienced surgeons (ECVS diplomates or professors of small animal surgery) and inexperienced surgeons (1st year after graduation) independently assessed wound tension through manual manipulation and determined whether the wound could be closed without tension-relieving measures. In addition, wound tension was objectively quantified using a newly developed wound tensiometer. RESULTS: The upper threshold for wound tension at which direct appositional wound closure was recommended by the experienced surgeons was 5.4 N, and the median minimal tension without recommendations for closure was 6.0 N. The data also demonstrate that wound tension and wound size do not necessarily correlate, and inexperienced surgeons need to develop a feel for wound tension. CONCLUSION: The intraoperative use of the wound tensiometer, in combination with established cut-off values, might facilitate decision-making regarding primary wound closure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this study provide evidence for the applicability of a wound tensiometer in guiding inexperienced surgeons in their choice of the skin wound closure method.

Intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid lateralisation using the Fast-Fix 360 system: a canine cadaveric study.

INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal paralysis is a condition in which failure of arytaenoid abduction results in a reduced rima glottidis cross-sectional area. The most commonly performed surgical techniques rely on unilateral abduction of the arytaenoid, requiring a lateral or ventral surgical approach to the larynx. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate a novel minimally invasive intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid lateralisation technique, using the Fast-Fix 360 meniscal repair system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Larynges were harvested from large breed canine cadavers. With the aid of Kirschner wires placed between the centre of the vocal process and the centre of an imaginary line between the cranial thyroid fissure and the cricothyroid articulation, the mean insertion angle was calculated. RESULTS: The Fast-Fix 360 delivery needle inserted intralaryngeally (n=10), according to a simplified insertion angle (70°), resulted in thyroid penetration (>2.5 mm from margin) in all patients. The Fast-Fix was applied unilaterally at 70° with the first toggle fired on the lateral aspect of the thyroid cartilage and inside the laryngeal cavity on retraction. The suture was tightened. Preprocedural (61.06±9.21 mm2) and postprocedural (138.37±26.12 mm2) rima glottidis cross-sectional area was significantly different (P<0.0001). The mean percentage increase in rima glottidis cross-sectional area was 125.96 per cent (±16.54 per cent). CONCLUSION: Intralaryngeal thyroarytaenoid laterlisation using the Fast-Fix 360 meniscal repair system ex vivo increased the rima glottidis cross-sectional area significantly.

Laryngeal paralysis in dogs: an update on recent knowledge.

Laryngeal paralysis is the effect of an inability to abduct the arytenoid cartilages during inspiration, resulting in respiratory signs consistent with partial airway obstruction. The aetiology of the disease can be congenital (hereditary laryngeal paralysis or congenital polyneuropathy), or acquired (trauma, neoplasia, polyneuropathy, endocrinopathy). The most common form of acquired laryngeal paralysis (LP) is typically seen in old, large breed dogs and is a clinical manifestation of a generalised peripheral polyneuropathy recently referred to as geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy. Diagnosing LP based on clinical signs, breed and history has a very high sensitivity (90%) and can be confirmed bylaryngeal inspection. Prognosis after surgical correction depends on the aetiology: traumatic cases have a good prognosis, whereas tumour-induced or polyneuropathy-induced LP has a guarded prognosis. Acquired idiopathic LP is a slow progressive disease, with dogs reaching median survival times of 3-5 years after surgical correction.

Total venous inflow occlusion and pericardial auto-graft reconstruction for right atrial hemangiosarcoma resection in a dog.

A sizeable right atrial hemangiosarcoma in a 6-year-old Bordeaux dog, World Health Organization (WHO) stage 2, was excised using total venous inflow occlusion. The defect was restored with a non-vascularized pericardial auto-graft. The dog had a disease-free interval of 7 mo. The dog was euthanized 9 months later, at which time there were distant metastases but no indication of local recurrence.

Occlusion totale du remplissage veineux et reconstruction par autogreffe péricardique pour une résection d'un hémangiosarcome atrial droit chez un chien. Un hémangiosarcome atrial droit considérable chez un chien Dogue de Bordeaux âgé de 6 ans, stade 2 de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), a été excisé en utilisant l'occlusion totale du remplissage veineux. Le défaut a été rétabli par une autogreffe péricardique non vascularisée. Le chien a connu une période de sept mois sans maladie. Le chien a été euthanasié 9 mois plus tard, lorsque des métastases distantes ont été décelées, mais sans indication d'une récurrence locale.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).