Effects of a novel, 3D printed bilateral arytenoid abductor on canine laryngeal airway resistance ex vivo.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal paralysis is a disease process most commonly seen in older, large breed dogs. When both arytenoid cartilages are affected dogs can develop life-threatening respiratory compromise, therefore surgical intervention is recommended. While there are multiple surgical procedures that have been described to treat laryngeal paralysis, there remains a considerable risk for postoperative complications, most commonly aspiration pneumonia. The objective of this ex vivo experimental study was to evaluate the effects of a novel, 3D printed bilateral arytenoid abductor on laryngeal airway resistance in canine cadaver larynges. Laryngeal airway resistance was calculated for each specimen before (control) and after placement of a 3D printed, bilateral arytenoid abductor. The airway resistance was measured at an airflow of 10 L/min with the epiglottis closed and at airflows ranging from 15 L/min to 60 L/min with the epiglottis open. The effects of the bilateral arytenoid abductor on laryngeal airway resistance were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: With the epiglottis open, median laryngeal airway resistance in all larynges with a bilateral arytenoid abductor were significantly decreased at airflows of 15 L/min (0.0cmH2O/L/sec), 30 L/min (0.2cmH2O/L/sec), and 45 L/min (0.2cmH2O/L/sec) compared to the controls 15 L/min (0.4cmH2O/L/sec; P = 0.04), 30 L/min (0.9cmH2O/L/sec; P = 0.04), and 45 L/min (1.2cmH2O/L/sec; P = 0.04). When the epiglottis was closed, there was no significant difference in laryngeal resistance between the control (18.8cmH2O/L/sec) and the abducted larynges (18.1cmH2O/L/sec; P = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Placement of a bilateral arytenoid abductor reduced laryngeal resistance in canine cadaver larynges compared to the controls when the epiglottis was open. With the epiglottis closed, there was no loss of laryngeal resistance while the device abducted the arytenoid cartilages. The results of this ex vivo study is encouraging for consideration of further evaluation of the bilateral arytenoid abductor to determine an appropriate material and tolerance of this device in vivo.

The effect of time until surgical intervention on survival in dogs with secondary septic peritonitis.

This retrospective study examined the effect of time to intervention on outcome in cases of dogs with secondary septic peritonitis, and also searched for other potential prognostic factors. The medical records of 55 dogs were reviewed. No association was found between outcome and the time from hospital admission to surgical source control. However, several other factors were found to influence survival, including: age, needing vasopressors, lactate, pre-operative packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum total bilirubin, and post-operative serum albumin. These values were then used to create accurate pre- and post-operative survival prediction models.

Effet du délai jusqu'à l'intervention chirurgicale sur la survie des chiens atteints de péritonite septique secondaire. Cette étude rétrospective a examiné l'effet du délai jusqu'à l'intervention sur le résultat dans les cas de chiens atteints de péritonite septique secondaire et a aussi cherché d'autres facteurs de pronostic potentiel. Les dossiers médicaux de 55 chiens ont été examinés. Aucune association n'a été trouvée entre le résultat et le délai entre l'admission à l'hôpital et le contrôle chirurgical de la source. Cependant, on a constaté que plusieurs autres facteurs influençaient la survie : l'âge, le besoin de vasopresseurs, le lactate, la valeur d'hématocrite avant l'opération, la phosphatase alcaline sérique, la bilirubine totale sérique et l'albumine sérique post-opératoire. Ces valeurs ont ensuite été utilisées pour créer des modèles de prédiction de la survie exacts avant et après l'opération.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

A retrospective evaluation of the effect of oclacitinib (Apoquel) administration on development of surgical site infection following clean orthopedic stifle surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oclacitinib (Apoquel) on development of surgical site infections in canines following clean orthopedic stifle surgery. Medical records of dogs undergoing unilateral, clean orthopedic stifle procedures were retrospectively examined for development of post-operative surgical site infections. Data collected for statistical analysis included age, sex, body weight, current medications, anesthesia and surgery times, white blood cell count, and neutrophil count. Surgical site infections were identified in 8.7% (34/390) of stifle procedures- 8.0% (29/364) in dogs not treated with oclacitinib and 19.2% (5/26) in dogs treated with oclacitinib (p = 0.053). There was a significant difference in development of surgical site infection in dogs with longer anesthesia times (p = 0.003) and higher body weights (p = 0.037). Dogs being treated with oclacitinib at the time of clean, orthopedic stifle surgery did not have a significantly higher incidence of surgical site infections. However, client education regarding risk of infection and increased patient monitoring post-operatively are recommended, especially in patients with increased body weight or longer anesthetic times.

Efficacy of laparotomy sponges to reduce bacterial contamination using an in vitro gastrointestinal surgery model.

Use of laparotomy sponges to protect abdominal viscera during gastrointestinal surgery is described in nonspecific terms by various sources, but no definitive guidelines have been established in veterinary literature. The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro efficacy of various layer-densities of laparotomy sponges at reducing bacterial contamination from multiple contaminant volumes during multiple exposure times. A standardized Escherichia coli inoculum water solution was applied over sterile laparotomy sponges overlying blood agar plates. Four laparotomy sponge layer-densities, 4 volumes of E. coli inoculum water solution, and 4 exposure times were evaluated. All blood agar plates were incubated for 48 hours followed by surface area measurements of colonization of each blood agar plate at 24 and 48 hours. The procedure was repeated thrice. Bacterial colonization occurred on 100% (192/192) of inoculated blood agar plates. There was a statistically significant decrease in colonized area with increasing layer-density of laparotomy sponges (P<0.0001). Comparison between the layer-density of sponges were statistically significant in resulting infected area (P<0.01), except comparison between 6- and 8-layers (P = 0.9490). Colonized area was not significantly altered by time of exposure. Results suggested that increasing the layer-density of laparotomy sponges has significant effect on reducing strikethrough bacterial colonization in an in vitro model. The results of this study can be used when performing gastrointestinal surgery to help guide laparotomy sponge use to reduce peritoneal bacterial contamination.

Ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of the canine cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle with varying angles of stifle joint flexion and axial loads after tibial tuberosity advancement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on cranial tibial thrust (CrTT), retropatellar force (RPF), patellar tendon load (PTL), and patellar tendon angle determined by the tibial plateau angle (PTA(TPA) ) method or common tangent (PTA(CT) ) method in the canine cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle joint. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo cadaver study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadaveric canine hind limbs (n=30). METHODS: Stifle joints were subjected to 3 differing loading conditions using a constrained limb press model (Group 1: 30% body weight axial load at stifle and talocrural joint angles of 135 ± 5° and 145 ± 5°, respectively; Group 2: 30% body weight axial load at stifle and talocrural angles of 145 ± 5° and 135 ± 5°, respectively; and Group 3: 50% body weight axial load at stifle and talocrural joint angles of 135 ± 5° and 145 ± 5°, respectively). The CrCL was transected in situ under load; sensors allowed direct measurement of CrTT, RPF, and PTL. Lateral radiographic projections were used to assess PTA(TPA) and PTA(CT) . Descriptive statistics were used to report CrTT (by design this force returned to 0-point values, defined as the neutral point of advancement [NPA]). At the NPA, RPF was compared with baseline using a 2-tailed sign test. PTL within groups were compared using a paired t-test; pair-wise comparisons of PTA(TPA) and PTA(CT) were performed using a paired t-test. Comparisons between loading conditions were made with a 1-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. Equivalence tests were used to test mean PTA(TPA) and PTA(CT) for equivalence to 90°. Significance was set at a P-value of .05. RESULTS: CrTT returned to baseline values, and RPF and PTL at NPA were reduced below baseline values in all specimens in a near linear fashion with TTA. At the NPA, PTA(TPA) >PTA(CT) in 2 of the 3 loading conditions, but insufficient evidence to suggest they differed in the third. Mean PTA(TPA) and PTA(CT) varied between loading conditions. The threshold for each of the groups evaluated, at which the PTA could be significantly different from 90°, was larger for PTA(TPA) than PTA(CT) in all groups, as greater variation was observed with PTA(TPA) versus PTA(CT) . CONCLUSION: This study further supports the claim that reduction of CrTT occurs after TTA in the CrCL-deficient stifle joint through an alteration of PTA. Additionally, RPF and PTL also decrease after TTA. The PTA(CT) may be a more precise method of determining PTA.

Flexor digitorum lateralis tendon transposition for the repair of bilateral calcaneal tendon rupture in a cat with severe thermal injury.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel technique utilizing the flexor digitorum lateralis tendon to repair rupture of the common calcaneal tendon with a gap defect. CLINICAL REPORT: An eight-month-old male Domestic Shorthair cat with bilateral common calcaneal tendon rupture secondary to severe thermal injury underwent bilateral common calcaneal tendon repair performed in two stages. The first stage involved using the flexor digitorum lateralis tendon to reconstruct the common calcaneal tendon and a semitendinosus muscle flap for improved blood supply. A calcaneotibial screw was used for immobilization of the tarsocrural joint. The second surgery involved free skin grafting for complete wound closure. Twelve weeks after the calcaneotibial screws were placed, the calcaneotibial screws were removed and fibreglass splints were applied. The splints were removed after two weeks. RESULTS: Full recovery took five months between the surgery and the final follow-up examination. The cat had a functional gait with no lameness and was able to jump to a height of approximately 75 cm. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Use of the flexor digitorum lateralis tendon may be considered for repair of a common calcaneal tendon rupture when a gap exists and traditional tendon lengthening techniques are not feasible.

Status epilepticus attributed to inadvertent intrathecal injection of cefazolin during myelography.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of status epilepticus believed to be a consequence of inadvertent intrathecal administration of cefazolin in a dog undergoing a myelogram. CASE SUMMARY: A 4-year-old, 6.5 kg, male neutered Dachshund was referred for evaluation of an acute onset hind limb paraparesis. While performing a lumbar myelogram, cefazolin was inadvertently injected into the ventral subarachnoid space. Subsequent refractory seizure activity was attributed to the epileptogenic effects of intrathecally administered cefazolin. Supportive therapy led to eventual complete recovery. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Although epileptogenic effects of intrathecally administered cefazolin are well documented in the human and experimental animal model literature, to the authors' knowledge this has not been characterized in the veterinary literature. This case highlights the need to be diligent and mindful when one administers medications, and describes the management of a dog adversely affected as a consequence of a medical error.

Characterization and radiation hybrid mapping of expressed sequence tags from the canine brain.

Maps of the canine genome are now developing rapidly. Most of the markers on the current integrated canine radiation hybrid/genetic linkage/cytogenetic map are highly polymorphic microsatellite (type II) markers that are very useful for mapping disease loci. However, there is still an urgent need for the mapping of gene-based (type I) markers that are required for comparative mapping, as well as identifying candidate genes for disease loci that have been genetically mapped. We constructed an adult brain cDNA library as a resource to increase the number of gene-based markers on the canine genome map. Eighty-one percent of the 2700 sequenced expressed sequence tags (ESTs) represented unique sequences. The canine brain ESTs were compared with sequences in public databases to identify putative canine orthologs of human genes. One hundred nine of the canine ESTs were mapped on the latest canine radiation hybrid (RH) panel to determine the location of the respective canine gene. The addition of these new gene-based markers revealed three conserved segments (CS) between human and canine genomes previously detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), but not by RH mapping. In addition, five new CS between dog and human were identified that had not been detected previously by RH mapping or FISH. This work has increased the number of gene-based markers on the canine RH map by approximately 30% and indicates the benefit to be gained by increasing the gene content of the current canine comparative map.