Evaluation of the transarticular external skeletal fixator for the treatment of tarsocrural instability in 32 cats.

The medical records of all cats with tarsocrural joint instability that were treated between June 2002 and December 2008 at the Royal Veterinary College were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 32 cats were identified. Information gathered included signalment, type of injury (subluxation or luxation), concurrent fractures, presence of soft tissue wounds, transarticular external skeletal fixation (TESF) type, configuration of TESF (number of pins proximal and distal to the joint), duration of hospitalisation, duration of TESF prior to removal, complications and cost. A significant association was identified between the length of hospitalisation and the presence of wounds. Similarly a significant association was present between wounds and final cost of treatment. Additionally, the authors found that a high number of implant related complications were present when only two pins were used proximal and distal to the tarsocrural joint, but this association was not significant.

[Improvements in placement of implantable drug delivery catheter for prevention and treatment of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer].

Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy was carried out using a subcutaneously implantable drug delivery system in 7 patients with rectal cancer, 5 patients with sigmoid colon cancer, 2 patients with transverse colon cancer, and 1 patient with ascending colon cancer, for prevention and treatment of hepatic metastases. The transport of intra-arterially infused drugs to the liver was examined during surgery using an infusion catheter, which was inserted by the fluorescence technique using Fluorescein-Na. The gastroepiploic artery was shifted to the abdominal wall to avoid leaving the infusion catheter as a foreign body after removal of the port. The fluorescein test, which is safe and can be performed in a short period by a simple procedure, is considered to be useful for intraoperative evaluation of the distribution of the drug to the liver. Since the infusion catheter remaining in the body after removal of the port may cause thrombosis and infection, measures to avoid leaving foreign bodies are considered to be necessary.

Retrospective comparison of two peripheral lumbosacral plexus blocks in dogs undergoing pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the lateral pre-iliac approach to the lumbar plexus combined with lumbar paravertebral sciatic nerve block, and the dorsal paravertebral approach to the lumbar plexus combined with sciatic nerve block in dogs. METHODS: Retrospective examination of case records of dogs that received the blocks and underwent pelvic limb orthopaedic surgery between 2010 and 2012. Success rate (intraoperative fentanyl consumption <2·1 µg/kg/hour), type and dose of local anaesthetic used, multiple of minimum alveolar concentration of volatile anaesthetic agent administered, incidence of intraoperative hypotension, postoperative methadone administration, postoperative contralateral limb paralysis and neurological complication at 6 weeks re-examination were analysed. RESULTS: Ninety-six and 95 records were retrieved in which lateral pre-iliac - lumbar paravertebral sciatic nerve and dorsal paravertebral - sciatic nerve were used, respectively. Success rates were 82·3% in lateral pre-iliac - lumbar paravertebral sciatic nerve and 74·7% in dorsal paravertebral - sciatic nerve groups. Bupivacaine, levobupivacaine and ropivacaine were used. Total local anaesthetic doses, intraoperative hypotension and postoperative methadone administered were similar between groups; minimum alveolar concentration multiple was significantly (P<0·001) lower in lateral pre-iliac - lumbar paravertebral sciatic nerve group. No neurological complications were noted. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although success rates and perioperative analgesic requirements were not significantly different, the different exposure to anaesthetic agents suggests that the two techniques may not be equivalent.

Post-traumatic aortic rupture of the thoracoabdominal junction: a case report.

Twenty-five years after a blunt chest trauma, sudden expansion of a traumatic aortic aneurysm induced a dysphagia and chest pain in a 57-year-old man. Resection of the aneurysm and patch repair of the rupture site utilizing a thoracoabdominal temporary bypass was successful. The location of aortic laceration at the thoracoabdominal junction was most unusual as compared with traumatic aneurysms usually seen in the thoracic aorta.