Ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of 2.4 mm LCP plate rod constructs versus 2.7 mm LCP applied to the feline tibia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the stiffness and strength of three plate and rod fixation constructs applied to a feline tibial gap model. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Thirty-three unpaired tibiae obtained from skeletally mature cats. METHODS: The tibiae were randomly divided into three groups. The following implants were then applied to the feline tibiae prior to the creation of a 10 mm diaphyseal gap. Group 1: 2.4 mm locking compression plate (LCP) and 1.0 mm intramedullary pin (IMP). Group 2: 2.4 mm LCP and 1.6 mm IMP. Group 3: 2.7 mm LCP. Subsequently, each specimen was tested for torsion, axial compression, and axial load until construct failure. Student's t-tests were used to compare the torsional and axial stiffness, yield load, and maximum axial force. RESULTS: Group 2 had higher axial stiffness than group 3 (p = .013). Group 1 showed a lower maximum axial force and yield point than groups 2 and 3 (p < .01; p < .05, respectively). There were no among-group differences in torsional stiffness. CONCLUSION: Constructs with a 2.4 mm LCP and 1.6 mm IMP provided the strongest and most rigid constructs in a feline tibia gap model. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A plate-rod construct combining a 2.4 mm LCP and a 1.6 mm IMP is appropriate for achieving high implant stiffness and resisting maximum axial force in treatment of tibial fractures in cats.

[A new approach to treatment selection in dogs with cruciate ligament rupture: patient-specific treatment recommendations]. / Ein neuer Ansatz für die Therapie­auswahl bei Hunden mit Kreuzband­erkrankung: Patientenspezifische ­Behandlungsempfehlungen.

INTRODUCTION: Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most important diseases in canine orthopedics. Despite the frequent occurrence of the disease and the extensive literature available, there is still controversy about the best treatment method. The aim of this review article is to present a new, more specific approach to treatment selection in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Patients are divided into different groups and particular treatment methods are then recommended according to group membership. In order to develop the treatment recommendations, the patient groups were initially defined based on criteria that are important for treatment selection, such as type of cranial cruciate ligament rupture, chronicity, degree of instability, size and weight of the patient, stage of osteoarthritis, the presence of bone deformities, concurrent medial patellar luxation or rotational instability. A detailed literature search was conducted through MEDLINE/PUBMED; CAB Abstracts, Google -Scholar and in conference proceedings abstracts from 1990-2019. Based on the available literature, treatment recommendations were developed for each patient group. These patient group-specific recommendations based on best available evidence are intended to simplify the decision-making process for treatment selection in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease.

INTRODUCTION: La rupture du ligament croisé antérieur est l'une des affections orthopédiques les plus importantes chez le chien. Malgré sa fréquence et la vaste littérature disponible, il existe toujours un désaccord sur la meilleure méthode de traitement. Le but de cet article de revue est donc de présenter une approche actuelle et plus spécifique pour la sélection de traitements chez les chiens présentant une déchirure du ligament croisé antérieur. Les patients sont divisés en différents groupes, pour lesquels une méthode spécifique est alors recommandée. Afin d'élaborer ces recommandations de traitement, différents groupes de patients ont été initialement définis sur la base de plusieurs critères importants pour la sélection de la méthode (type de déchirure du ligament croisé, chronicité, degré d'instabilité, taille et poids du patient, stade de l'arthrose, présence de déformations osseuses, luxation patellaire médiale simultanée ou instabilité rotationnelle). Par la suite, une recherche documentaire détaillée a été effectuée via MEDLINE/PUBMED; CAB Abstracts, Google Scholar et dans les actes de conférences de 1990 à 2019. Des recommandations de traitement ont ensuite été formulées pour chacun des groupes sur la base de la littérature disponible. Ces recommandations spécifiques aux groupes de patients sont destinées à permettre au praticien des petits animaux de prendre plus facilement sa décision lors de la sélection des méthodes thérapeutiques chez les chiens présentant des déchirures des ligaments croisés.

The effects of foraminotomy and intervertebral distraction on the volume of the lumbosacral intervertebral neurovascular foramen: An ex vivo study.

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs frequently involves L7-S1 foraminal stenosis and L7 nerve root compression. Surgical techniques to decompress the L7 nerve root include foraminotomy and intervertebral distraction. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of foraminotomy and intervertebral distraction on the total, cranial, and caudal compartmental volumes of the L7-S1 intervertebral neurovascular foramen (NF). CT images were obtained from eight canine lumbosacral (L5-CD1) specimens in the following sequential conditions: native spine (1), after dorsal laminectomy and partial discectomy of L7-S1 (2), after L7-S1 foraminotomy (3), after distraction with an interbody cage between L7 and S1 (4), after cage distraction stabilized with pedicle screw-rod fixation in neutral (5) and flexed position (6). The volume of the complete NF and its cranial and caudal subcompartments were calculated using the CT images and statistically compared between conditions. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The volume of the complete NF was significantly increased after foraminotomy (mean ± standard deviation (146.8 ± 26.5%, P < 0.01) and after distraction (Condition 4, 121.0 ± 19.1%; Condition 5, 116.6 ± 29.3 %; Condition 6, 119.0 ± 21.8 %; P = 0.01) with no difference between the distraction conditions. Foraminotomy induced a significantly larger increase in total NF volume compared to distraction. Foraminotomy, but not distraction, induced a significant increase in volume of the cranial subcompartment (158.2 ± 33.2 %; P < 0.01). Foraminotomy is more effective in increasing the foraminal volume and especially the cranial subcompartment, which is where the L7 nerve root traverses the NF. Hence, foraminotomy may be more effective in decompressing the L7 nerve root.

Surgical treatment of a proximal diaphyseal tibial deformity associated with partial caudal and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency and patella baja.

INTRODUCTION: Caudal cruciate ligament injury can be a complication following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) (Slocum und Slocum, 1993) especially if the post-operative Tibial Plateau Angle (TPA) is less than 5 degree. We describe a case of negative TPA associated with partial cranial and caudal ligament rupture treated with a center of rotation of angulation (CORA) based cranial tibial opening wedge osteotomy and tibial tuberosity transposition. A 13 kg, mixed breed dog was presented for right pelvic limb lameness. Radiographically a bilateral patella baja and a malformed tibia tuberosity along with a bilateral TPA of -8 degree were detected. Arthroscopically a partial rupture of the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments were found. A cranial tibial opening wedge osteotomy of 23 degree and a fibular ostectomy were performed. The osteotomy was fixed with a 8 holes ALPS 9 (KYON, Switzerland) and a 3-holes 2.0mm UniLock plate (Synthes, Switzerland). Then a proximal tibial tuberosity transposition of 10mm was performed and fixed with a pin and tension band construct. The postoperative TPA was 15 degree. The radiographic controls at 6, 10 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after surgery revealed an unchanged position of the implants and progressive healing of the osteotomies. At the 6 and 12 months recheck evaluation the dog had no evidence of lameness or stifle pain and radiographs revealed complete healing of the osteotomy site and no implant failure. The diaphyseal CORA based osteotomy allowed accurate correction of a proximal tibial deformity associated with negative TPA.

Partial pancreatectomy and splenectomy using a bipolar vessel sealing device in a cat with an anaplastic pancreatic carcinoma.

A 14-year old domestic shorthair cat was presented because of vomiting, anorexia and an abdominal mass. A diagnosis could not be made preoperative and during surgery the mass was assigned to the gastric part of the pancreas. A partial pancreatectomy and splenectomy was performed using a Ligasure® vessel sealing device. No surgery related complications occurred. Histological examination revealed an anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas. The cat was in a good clinical condition 14 days after surgery. After 2 months the cat was euthanized with the suspicion of a bone tumor. Findings of this case demonstrate that pancreatic carcinoma in cats has a poor prognosis but pancreatectomy can be performed using a bipolar vessel sealing device as a safe and fast alternative to standard surgical techniques.

Cognitive-behavioral play therapy.

Discusses cognitive-behavioral play therapy (CBPT), a developmentally sensitive treatment for young children that relies on flexibility, decreased expectation for verbalizations by the child, and increased reliance on experiential approaches. The development of CBPT for preschool-age children provides a relatively unique adaptation of cognitive therapy as it was originally developed for adults. CBPT typically contains a modeling component through which adaptive coping skills are demonstrated. Through the use of play, cognitive change is communicated indirectly, and more adaptive behaviors can be introduced to the child. Modeling is tailored for use with many specific cognitive and behavioral interventions. Generalization and response prevention are important features of CBPT. With minor modifications, many of the principles of cognitive therapy, as delineated for use with adults, are applicable to young children. Case examples are presented to highlight the application of CBPT. Although CBPT has a sound therapeutic base and utilizes proven techniques, more rigorous empirical scrutiny is needed.

Childhood trichotillomania treated indirectly by punishing thumb sucking.

Trichotillomania was treated in a developmentally normal three-year-old by punishing thumb sucking. A behavioral analysis indicated a chain of behaviors that began with hair pulling and terminated in thumb sucking. The parents punished the thumb sucking by applying a bad tasting substance to the thumb. Both hair pulling and thumb sucking were rapidly eliminated. The child remained symptom free at 40 month follow-up. This study represents the third time trichotillomania has been treated in a preschooler indirectly by targeting finger sucking as the behavior to change. The significance of treating trichotillomania indirectly is discussed.

Language sampling in deaf children: a comparison of oral and signed communication modes.

Fourteen deaf children (eight from total communication and six from oral classes) and seven non-hearing-impaired peers were given a number of tasks designed to elicit spontaneous language. These tasks included retelling stories they had previously read aloud (read), retelling stories told to them with accompanying pictures (told), and responding to questions about pictures (pictures). Traditional language sampling indices of verbal output, syntactic structure, and communicativeness were derived, and differences among groups and methods of elicitation were ascertained. Results favored hearing children on all measures. When comparing the two deaf groups, few differences emerge on measures of verbal output and communicativeness. On syntactic measures, the oral group performed significantly better on a number of tasks. These differences were discussed in terms of the impact of communication mode on language instruction for deaf children.