An electrogram-guided transvenous temporary pacemaker implant simulator.

INTRODUCTION: Transvenous temporary pacemaker (TvTP) implantation is a critical procedure often performed under time limitations, playing a crucial role in patient survival. However, the amount of training provided for resident cardiologists is variable, due to the availability of patients. Thus, the use of simulators for this cardiologic procedure could be used as training tools. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to develop a simulator system for TvTP implantation based on electrograms, called ETTIS (Electrogram-guided Transvenous Temporary-pacemaker Implantation Simulator), and to evaluate its educational potential and cardiology residents' perceived learning efficacy as a training tool. METHODOLOGY: The development of the ETTIS involved three stages: (1) Adaptation of an anatomical mannequin; (2) Design and manufacture of electronic circuits and software capable of identifying the catheter contact site within the heart chambers and reproducing electrograms in both surfaces (mode-on) and intracavitary (mode-off); (3) To evaluate its educational potential, a modified Likert questionnaire was administered to nine cardiology experts. Additionally, to evaluate the perceived learning efficacy, another modified Likert questionnaire was given to six cardiology residents both before and after training with the ETTIS. Descriptive statistics with measures of position and dispersion were employed, and the weighted Kappa test was used for agreement analysis. RESULTS: A high rate of acceptance (over 90%) was found among experts who evaluated the ETTIS. The cardiology residents showed significant self-perceived learning gains, as evidenced by a lack of agreement between their responses to a questionnaire before and after training. CONCLUSION: The ETTIS is a promising tool for medical training, displaying both educational potential and efficacy. It has been shown to be effective in learning a variety of skills, including cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology. Additionally, the ETTIS is highly engaging and allows cardiology residents to practice in a safe and controlled environment.

Red reflex technique training simulator in newborns / Simulador para o treinamento da técnica do reflexo vermelho em recém-nascidos

Abstract: Introduction: The Red Reflex Test (RRT) consists of visualizing the reflection that light causes in the retina when it passes through the pupil. It is a screening test for pathologies that can lead to blindness, which still have great social and economic impact on families and the government. Teaching through simulators allows students and health professionals to acquire and improve their clinical skills. Objective: The aim of the study is to develop a low-cost dummy, 3D printed and based on the Arduino platform, for the training of the red reflex technique (RRT) in newborns and evaluate its educational effectiveness. Method: A RRT dummy was presented to 7 expert judges: 6 pediatricians and 1 ophthalmologist to evaluate its applicability in medical learning. For this purpose, they used a 14-item Likert scale of 5 points. Subsequently, 40 individuals participated in a course: 33 medical students, 5 pediatric residents, a nurse and a general physician. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: control (CG) and experimental (EG) group. Each group consisted of 20 participants. The EG went through 4 stages: 1) theoretical background; 2) handling of the simulator; 3) simulated clinical practice and; 4) evaluation in real-life patients. Whereas the CG went through the following teaching methodological processes: 1) theoretical background; 2) direct training in real-life patients and; 4) practical evaluation in a real-life patient. After each respective group intervention, both groups were assessed on their learning in 40 newborns at Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Foundation in Belém, state of Pará, Brazil. Results: At the judges' evaluation regarding the simulator positive items (design, similarity, interest, relevance, content, memorization, didactics, previous reminiscence, comprehension and application), 49.2% answered 'strongly agree' and 44.4%, 'agree'. Regarding the negative questions (difficulty in understanding, information overload, abstraction, difficulty in handling and clarity of operation), 40.0% answered 'strongly disagree', and 57.1%, 'disagree'. The judges were 94.9% favorable to the use of the simulator in medical education. However, comparing the two groups of students, regarding the time of exam, the results showed no statistically significant difference (p-value = 0.29). Conclusions: The dummy showed its applicability for the learning of RRT, with the advantage of being able to perform the exam without having to disturb a real-life patient.

Resumo: Introdução: O Teste do Reflexo Vermelho (TRV) consiste em visualizar o reflexo que a luz causa na retina ao passar pela pupila. Dessa forma, o TRV tria patologias que levam à cegueira e pode reduzir o impacto social e econômico das famílias e do governo. O ensino por meio de simuladores permite que estudantes e profissionais de saúde adquiram e melhorem as habilidades clínicas. Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objetivos desenvolver um manequim de baixo custo, impresso em 3D e baseado na plataforma Arduino, para o treinamento do TRV em recém-nascidos e avaliar a eficácia educacional desse exame. Métodos: Um manequim do TRV foi apresentado a sete juízes especialistas - seis pediatras e um oftalmologista - que avaliaram a aplicabilidade do teste na aprendizagem médica. Para isso, utilizaram a escala Likert de 14 itens de 5 pontos. Posteriormente, 40 participantes participaram de um curso: 33 estudantes de Medicina, cinco residentes em pediatria, uma enfermeira e um médico generalista. Dividiram-se aleatoriamente os participantes em dois grupos: controle (GC) e experimental (GE). Cada grupo foi composto por 20 participantes. Submeteu-se o GC ao ensino convencional em pacientes reais. O GE passou por quatro etapas: 1. fundamentação teórica, 2. manipulação do simulador, 3. prática clínica simulada e 4. avaliação nos pacientes reais. No GC, adotaram-se os seguintes passos: 1. fundamentação teórica, 2. treinamento direto em pacientes reais e 3. avaliação em pacientes reais. Após a intervenção de cada grupo, os dois grupos foram avaliados quanto à aprendizagem em 40 recém-nascidos da Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará, em Belém, no Pará. Resultados: Na avaliação dos juízes em relação aos itens positivos para o simulador (design, similaridade, interesse, relevância, conteúdo, memorização, didática, reminiscência anterior, compreensão e aplicação), 49,2% afirmaram que concordavam fortemente e 44,4% mencionaram apenas que concordavam. Nas questões negativas (dificuldade de entendimento, sobrecarga de informação, abstração, dificuldade de manuseio e clareza de operação), 40,0% discordaram fortemente e 57,1% discordaram. Os juízes concordaram em 94,9% a favor do uso do simulador na educação médica. Porém, comparando os dois grupos de estudantes, em relação ao tempo de exame, os resultados não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significante (p = 0,29). Conclusão: O manequim mostrou aplicabilidade na aprendizagem do TRV, com a vantagem de realizar o exame sem que o paciente real fosse incomodado.

Empirical Evaluation of a 3D Virtual Simulator of Hysteroscopy Using Leap Motion for Gestural Interfacing.

Surgical training using 3D virtual reality simulators has become an important routine in medical education. Recent research points to Leap Motion as an exciting interface for the control of virtual surgical instruments due to its simplicity and low-cost characteristics. However, previous studies using Leap Motion only evaluated movements of the whole hand, without considering individual finger movements during the manipulation of surgical instruments. This work investigates the use of Leap Motion as an interface for the capture of basic hand and finger movements during a simulated hysteroscopy using a 3D-printed hysteroscope model. We created a virtual simulated uterine environment containing a hysteroscope controlled by movements of the hand and fingers of a user actuating on a 3D-printed model hysteroscope. The model hysteroscope was positioned in a pivot basis allowing the capture of the following basic movements: leftward/rightward, upward/downward, forward/backward, and extrusion/retraction of the virtual resection loop (which rests on the end of the virtual virtual resectoscope). The findings indicate that the arc-shaped paths of the hysteroscope's alpha plane (rightward/leftward) and beta plane (upward/downward) movements are satisfactorily simulated by the virtual reality system. Using Intraclass Correlation, was noted that the similarity between the calculated (ideal standard) and measured arcs was highly significant on both planes (r = 0.9599 on the alpha plane, and r = 0.9208 on the beta plane). Also, the forward/backward trajectory is a straight line; the pinch gesture decreases its accuracy when increase its distance from the Interaction Box of Leap Motion. The results were satisfactorily since compared with previous works, which used Leap Motion for the capture of hands-free gesturing.

Development and Validation of an Application for Follow-up of Patients Undergoing Dialysis: NefroPortátil.

OBJECTIVES: To develop the NefroPortatil mobile application (app) and evaluate its effects on the management of patients undergoing dialysis. METHODS: The first stage of the work was the development, installation, and establishment of the instructions to use the phone app as an instrument to aid in the control of fluid and food intake of 52 patients undergoing dialysis. In the second stage, the patients were monitored for 3 months and evaluated using questionnaires to measure the improvement in quality of life (Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument) and self-management of disease (Perceived Medical Condition Self-Management Scale) by the app. In addition, laboratory tests were performed before app use and in the first, second, and third months of its use (January to April 2018). Analysis of variance was used to analyze the laboratory data, and a paired Student's t test was used to analyze the responses to the questionnaires and as a posttest (P < .05). RESULTS: Among the laboratory test results, serum phosphorus levels showed a significant difference (P < .04) after the app was used. A significant improvement was observed in self-management of the disease according to the Perceived Medical Condition Self-Management Scale questionnaire (P < .03). The usability of the app reached a median score of 9.65 from a total score of 10. CONCLUSION: The NefroPortatil app improved the degree of perception of self-care of patients undergoing dialysis with chronic kidney failure, in addition to favoring nutritional control.

Heart at risk: electronic educational game with information on doping in athletes / Coração em jogo: jogo eletrônico educativo na informação do doping em atletas / Corazón en juego: juego electrónico educativo en la información del doping en atletas

ABSTRACT Introduction Games are recognized tools that can be used for teaching, awareness-building and behavioral change. In the world of competitive sports, it is necessary to both educate athletes and make them aware that doping is an unsportsmanlike practice, particularly because this conduct can be life-threatening. A game called "Heart at Risk" was developed in this context for the purpose of teaching athletes which substances are characterized as doping by the World Antidoping Agency, and to raise their awareness of health hazards through entertainment. Objective Present and empirically evaluate the efficacy of the game as a tool for educating athletes on substances characterized as doping. Methods The sample group was formed by 20 players in the under-20 category of Clube do Remo (Rowing Club), aged over 18 years. The athletes underwent a pre-test, played the Heart at Risk game, and took a post-test at the end. Both tests were related to healthy sport practices (positive factors) and to doping substances (negative factors). Results Regarding the knowledge of positive factors, there was an increase of knowledge in relation to low doses of caffeine (∆ = 40%; p-value= 0.0125) and doping assessment (∆ = 55%; p-value = 0.0017). Regarding negative factors, there was an increase of knowledge in relation to diuretics (∆ = 25%; p-value = 0.0455), contaminated thermogenic (∆ = 35%; p-value = 0.0191), growth hormone-GH (∆ = 50%; p-value = 0.0025), contaminated supplements (∆ = 65%; p-value = 0.0007), and testosterone (∆ = 55%; p-value = 0.0017). Conclusion The Heart at Risk game proved to be an effective resource in the process of learning about prohibited substances and positive factors for sports performance. Level of Evidence IV; Case series.

RESUMO Introdução Jogos são reconhecidos instrumentos que podem ser usados para ensino, conscientização e mudança de comportamentos. No competitivo mundo esportivo, educar e conscientizar que doping é uma prática antiesportiva são duas necesidades, principalmente porque essa atitude pode colocar a vida do atleta em risco. Nesse contexto, foi desenvolvido um jogo, chamado Coração em Jogo, com o objetivo de ensinar aos atletas quais substâncias são caracterizadas como doping pela World Anti-Doping Agency, e ludicamente conscientizá-los dos riscos para a saúde. Objetivo Apresentar e avaliar empiricamente a eficácia do Coração em Jogo como ferramenta para educação de atletas sobre substâncias caracterizadas como doping. Métodos A amostra foi formada por 20 jogadores da categoria sub-20 do Clube do Remo, com idade superior a 18 anos. Os atletas realizaram pré-teste e jogaram o Coração em Jogo, e, ao término, foi aplicado um pós-teste. Ambos os testes eram relativos a práticas esportivas saudáveis (fatores positivos) e sobre substâncias dopantes (fatores negativos). Resultados Em relação ao conhecimento de fatores positivos, houve aumento do conhecimento em baixas doses de cafeína (∆ = 40%; valor de p = 0,0125) e avaliação de dopagem (∆ = 55%; valor de p = 0,0017). Em relação aos fatores negativos, ocorreu aumento do conhecimento em diuréticos (∆ = 25%; valor de p = 0,0455), termogênico contaminado (∆ = 35%; valor de p = 0,0191), hormônio do crescimento (∆ = 50%; valor de p=0,0025), suplementos contaminados (∆ = 65%; valor de p = 0,0007) e testosterona (∆ = 55%; valor de p = 0,0017). Conclusão O Coração em Jogo mostrou-se recurso eficaz na aprendizagem das substâncias proibidas e dos fatores positivos para desempenho do esporte. Nível de Evidência IV; Série de casos.

RESUMEN Introducción Los juegos son reconocidos instrumentos que pueden ser usados para enseñanza, concientización y cambio de comportamientos. En el competitivo mundo deportivo, educar y concientizar que doping es una práctica antideportiva son dos necesidades, principalmente porque esa actitud puede poner la vida del atleta en riesgo. En este contexto se desarrolló un juego llamado "Corazón en juego (Coração em Jogo en su nombre en portugués)", con el objetivo de enseñar a los atletas qué sustancias son caracterizadas como doping por la World Antidoping Agency, y lúdicamente concientizarse de los riesgos para su salud. Objetivo Presentar y evaluar empíricamente la eficacia de "Corazón en Juego", como una herramienta para la educación de atletas sobre sustancias que se caracterizan como doping. Métodos La muestra fue formada por 20 jugadores de la categoría sub-20 del Club del Remo, con edad superior a 18 años. Los atletas realizaron test previo y jugaron "Corazón en Juego", y al término se aplicó un test posterior. Ambos tests se referían a prácticas deportivas saludables (factores positivos) y sobre sustancias dopantes (factores negativos). Resultados Con relación al conocimiento de factores positivos, hubo aumento del conocimiento en bajas dosis de cafeína (Δ = 40%, valor de p = 0,0125) y evaluación de dopaje (Δ = 55%; valor de p = 0,0017). Con relación a los factores negativos, ocurrió aumento del conocimiento en diuréticos (Δ = 25%, valor de p = 0,0455), termogénico contaminado (Δ = 35%, valor de p = 0,0191), hormona del crecimiento (Δ = 50%, valor de p = 0,0025), suplementos contaminados (Δ = 65%, valor de p = 0,0007) y testosterona (Δ = 55%, valor de p = 0,0017). Conclusión "Corazón en Juego", se mostró un recurso eficaz en el aprendizaje de las sustancias prohibidas y de los factores positivos para desempeño del deporte. Nivel de evidencia IV; Serie de casos.

Surface immunoglobulins of erythrocytes and platelets in dogs naturally infected by Rangelia vitalii.

Rangelia vitalii is a protozoan of the Babesiidae family that parasitizes domestic and wild dogs in South American countries. The main laboratory findings in blood samples from animals infected by R. vitalii are anemia and thrombocytopenia. The aim of this study was to detect IgM and IgG immunoglobulins on the surface of red blood cells and platelets, as well as to determine the percentage of reticulated platelets and reticulocytes in dogs naturally infected by R. vitalii. Blood samples from twenty dogs seen at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) were divided into two groups: the diseased group consisted of blood samples from 10 animals with the diagnosis of rangeliosis, and the healthy group (control) consisted of samples from 10 healthy animals. All diseased dogs showed normocytic normochromic anemia but showed no differences (p > 0.05) in reticulocyte counts compared to healthy dogs. Moreover, IgM and IgG immunoglobulins were detected on the surface of the plasma membrane of red blood cells from both groups, but the amounts did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Thrombocytopenia in infected animals was classified as severe. The percentage of reticulated platelets was higher (p < 0.001) in diseased dogs than in healthy animals. Diseased animals showed more IgM immunoglobulins bound to the surface of platelets than did the healthy group (p < 0.001). However, the amount of IgG bound to the surface of platelets was not different between groups. In conclusion, we showed that R. vitalii caused immune-mediated thrombocytopenia since IgM immunoglobulins were found on the surface of platelets of diseased dogs. We suggest that the binding of immunoglobulins on platelet surfaces contributes to early destruction of these cells and, consequently, alterations in hemostasis. An increase in reticulated platelets was noted in response to thrombocytopenia, indicating active thrombopoiesis.

An Innovative Streaming Video System With a Point-of-View Head Camera Transmission of Surgeries to Smartphones and Tablets: An Educational Utility.

PURPOSE: In order to engage medical students and residents from public health centers to utilize the telemedicine features of surgery on their own smartphones and tablets as an educational tool, an innovative streaming system was developed with the purpose of streaming live footage from open surgeries to smartphones and tablets, allowing the visualization of the surgical field from the surgeon's perspective. The current study aims to describe the results of an evaluation on level 1 of Kirkpatrick's Model for Evaluation of the streaming system usage during gynecological surgeries, based on the perception of medical students and gynecology residents. METHODS: Consisted of a live video streaming (from the surgeon's point of view) of gynecological surgeries for smartphones and tablets, one for each volunteer. The volunteers were able to connect to the local wireless network, created by the streaming system, through an access password and watch the video transmission on a web browser on their smartphones. Then, they answered a Likert-type questionnaire containing 14 items about the educational applicability of the streaming system, as well as comparing it to watching an in loco procedure. This study is formally approved by the local ethics commission (Certificate No. 53175915.7.0000.5171/2016). RESULTS: Twenty-one volunteers participated, totalizing 294 items answered, in which 94.2% were in agreement with the items affirmative, 4.1% were neutral, and only 1.7% answers corresponded to negative impressions. Cronbach's α was .82, which represents a good reliability level. Spearman's coefficients were highly significant in 4 comparisons and moderately significant in the other 20 comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a local streaming video system of live surgeries to smartphones and tablets and shows its educational utility, low cost, and simple usage, which offers convenience and satisfactory image resolution, thus being potentially applicable in surgical teaching.

Linfadenectomia inguinoilíaca laparoscópica, após impregnação linfática com diferentes marcadores em cadelas hígidas / Laparoscopic inguinoiliac lymphadenectomy following staining using different lymphatic markers in healthy dogs

RESUMO: O sistema linfático mamário de animais saudáveis e neoplásicos é pouco estudado. Inexistem respostas detalhadas quanto ao padrão de comunicação entre as cadeias linfáticas mamárias com as abdominais e pélvicas em animais sadios ou com neoplasmas na referida glândula. Por essa razão, pretendeu-se avaliar a ocorrência dessa comunicação linfática intrabdominal, verificando também se a cadeia linfática inguinoilíaca poderia ser adequadamente abordada via cirurgia laparoscópica. Para tanto, os animais foram distribuídos, de forma randômica, em três grupos cirúrgicos: pacientes submetidos à técnica de coloração linfática com o corante azul de metileno estéril (G1); animais submetidos à técnica de impregnação linfática com o corante verde de indocianina (G2); animais submetidos à técnica demarcação linfática, utilizando solução fisiológica de NaCl a 0,9% (G3). Em todos os grupos, foi realizada a aplicação intradérmica, do corante ou solução fisiológica, ao redor da mama inguinal direita, em tempos distintos de 12h ou 30min, antes da incisão de pele. Após, foram coletadas, por videolaparoscopia, duas regiões contendo tecido adiposo, laterais às artérias ilíacas interna e externas, buscando avaliar a presença e o número de linfonodos extirpardos. Por último, realizou-se a ovário-histerectomia eletiva pelos mesmos portais de acesso. Foram considerados ainda, o tempo de cirurgia e as complicações e dificuldades técnicas trans e pós-operatórias. A técnica proposta de linfadenectomia inginoilíaca intrabdominal não obteve êxito na coleta de linfonodos. As técnicas de marcação linfática realizadas, utilizando tanto o azul de metileno a 1%, como o verde de indocianina a 1%, não evidenciaram nenhuma marcação transoperatória nos tempos estudados. Em relação às complicações e dificuldades técnicas trans e pós-operatórias, observou-se, em todos os animais, reações de hipersensibilidade cutânea ao uso dos corantes. As técnicas propostas não apresentaram maiores dificuldades de execução ou complicações transoperatórias.

ABSTRACT: The lymphatic mammary system in healthy and neoplastic animals has been poorly studied. There is sparse information regarding the communication pattern along the mammary lymphatic chain and abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes in healthy animals or in those bearing mammary neoplasms. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of such intra-abdominal lymphatic communications, as well as the feasibility of laparoscopic assessment of the inguinoiliac lymphatic chain. Animals were randomly divided into three groups: dogs that underwent lymphatic staining with sterile methylene blue solution (G1); lymphatic staining with indocyanine green dye (G2); placebo subjects were submitted to the same injection technique, but using sterile normal saline (G3). In all groups, intradermal administration of dye or saline around the right inguinal mammary gland was performed 12 hours or 30 minutes before skin incision. Afterwards, two areas containing adipose tissue were sampled laparoscopically, lateral to the external and internal iliac arteries, and the number of lymph nodes retrieved was assessed. Animals were submitted to ovariohysterectomy using the same laparoscopic approach, following adipose tissue/lymph node excision. Other assessments included operative time, intra and postoperative complications and technical difficulties. The proposed technique for intra-abdominal iliac lymphadenectomy was not successful in recovering lymph nodes. The lymphatic staining technique using either methylene blue or indocyanine green provided no intraoperative staining. Regarding the complications and technical difficulties, all animals presented mild hypersensitivity reactions regardless of the dye used. Laparoscopy for inguinoiliac lymph node exploration presented no other technical difficulties or postoperative complications.

Appendicular fractures of traumatic etiology in dogs: 955 cases (2004-2013) / Fraturas apendiculares de etiologia traumática em cães: 955 casos (2004-2013)

ABSTRACT: Orthopedic diseases are common in dogs and cats, especially, those caused by traumatic injury. Overall, among the significant changes in this group, the fractures are the major cause of pain and dysfunction in dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds. Therefore, a retrospective study of dogs examined between January 2004 and December 2013 at the University Veterinary Hospital of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, was conducted aiming to identify and determine the prevalence of appendicular fractures caused by trauma and characterizing the population/etiology. In a population of 1,200 dogs with suspected traumatic orthopedic diseases in the locomotor system, 955 (79.6%) had appendicular fractures. Of the dogs 23.5% had fractures on the femur (n=225), 23.4% had pelvic fractures (n=223), 22% had tibial and fibular fractures (n=210), 17.6% had radius and ulna fractures (n=168), 7.5% had humeral fractures (n=72) and 6% had distal limb fractures (tarsus, carpus, metacarpus, metatarsus and phalanges (n=57)). The most frequent cause was car accidents (72.2%). Most affected dogs were male (52.5%), juvenile (42%), mixed breed (51.4%) and small size (42.7%). In conclusion, the profile of dogs with fractures in the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul State is: male dogs, mixed breed, immature and small size, presenting femoral fractures by car accident.

RESUMO: Doenças ortopédicas são comuns em cães e gatos, especialmente, aquelas causadas por lesões traumáticas. De forma geral, dentre as alterações significativas desta margem, apontam-se as fraturas como causa importante de dor e disfunção em cães de todas as idades, tamanhos e raças. Diante disso, um estudo retrospectivo de cães atendidos entre janeiro de 2004 e dezembro de 2013 no Hospital Veterinário Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, foi realizado, objetivando identificar e determinar a prevalência das fraturas apendiculares decorrentes de traumatismo, caracterizando a população e a etiologia. De um total de 1.200 cães com suspeita de doença ortopédica de origem traumática no sistema locomotor, 955 (79,6%) apresentaram fraturas apendiculares, sendo que 23,5% foram fraturas do fêmur (n=225), 23,4% fraturas da pelve (n=223), 22% fraturas da tíbia e da fíbula (n=210), 17,6% fraturas do rádio e da ulna (n=168), 7,5% fraturas do úmero (n=72) e 6% fraturas distais dos membros (tarso, carpo, metacarpo, metatarso e falanges (n=57)), decorrentes principalmente de acidentes automobilísticos (72,2%). Os cães mais afetados foram machos (52,5%), filhotes (42%), sem raça definida (51,4%), de porte pequeno (42,7%). Conclui-se que o perfil de cães com fraturas na Região Central do Rio Grande do Sul é: cães machos, sem raça definida, imaturos, de pequeno porte, apresentando fratura de fêmur por acidente automobilístico.

Laparoscopic diaphragmatic hernioplasty in a dog / Hernioplastia diafragmática laparoscópica em cão

A diaphragmatic hernia is characterized by the passage of the abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity, which may be congenital or acquired. Its treatment is achieved by surgical correction. When there is no tissue or in cases of herniation with a chronic disease, the use biological or synthetic implants is recommended. The objective of this study was to report a technique of laparoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair using bovine pericardium preserved in a canine, using three portal accesses. Due to the large diaphragmatic defect, reduction with the aid of a network of preserved bovine pericardium in formaldehyde 4% was chosen. The mesh was sutured to the transversus abdominus muscle in two layers. The first layer was sutured using simple continuous pattern, and the second one using simple interrupted sutures. The patient collapsed and died 24 hours postoperatively. However, the purposed technique was feasible...

A hérnia diafragmática é caracterizada pela passagem das vísceras abdominais para a cavidade torácica, podendo ser de origem congênita ou adquirida, que exige o tratamento cirúrgico. Quando houver ausência de tecido ou em casos de herniação com evolução crônica, recomenda-se a utilização de implantes biológicos ou sintéticos. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar a técnica de herniorrafia diafragmática laparoscópica com o uso de pericárdio bovino conservado em um canino, a partir do acesso laparoscópico com três portais. Devido ao grande defeito diafragmático, optou-se pela sua redução com o auxílio de implante de pericárdio bovino conservado em formaldeído a 4%, este fixado a musculatura diafragmática com sutura intracorpórea, utilizando para isso duas camadas de sutura ambas com náilon 0, a primeira contínua simples seguida de pontos isolados simples, em toda extensão da membrana conservada. Apesar do animal vir a óbito nas primeiras 24 horas do pós-operatório, a técnica adotada se mostrou viável...

Poliartrite em cães - 27 casos (2007-2013) / Polyarthritis in dogs - 27 cases (2007-2013)

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar cães com poliartrite e obter informações a respeito da idade, sexo, raça, peso corporal, queixa principal, alterações no exame físico, do líquido sinovial e resposta à terapia instituída. Os cães sem raça definida e acima de seis anos de idade foram os mais acometidos e o principal sinal clínico observado foi dificuldade de locomoção (71,5%), seguido de dor articular (52,3%) e claudicação (33,3%). Febre e inapetência foram observadas em cinco (18,5%) e quatro cães (14,8%), respectivamente. As principais alterações hematológicas encontradas foram anemia não regenerativa (29,6%), leucocitose (26%) e trombocitopenia (18,5%). Os resultados da bioquímica sérica foram considerados normais em sete de 27 cães (26%) e as principais alterações foram hiperproteinemia (55,5%) e hipoalbuminemia (37%). A inflamação sinovial foi considerada acentuada em 17 cães (77,5%), sendo os neutrófilos predominantes em 52,4% dos casos (n=14). O tratamento foi realizado em 18 cães com doses imunossupressoras de corticosteroides, sendo efetivo em 89% dos casos.

The aim of this study was to identify dogs with polyarthritis (PA) and information about age, sex, race, body weight, chief complaint, changes in physical examination, cytology of synovial fluid and response to therapy. Mixed breeds dogs over six years of age were the most affected and the main symptoms observed were limited mobility (71.5%) followed by joint pain (52.3%) and claudication (33.3%). Inapetence and fever were observed in five (18.5%) and four dogs (14.8%), respectively. Haematological abnormalities as non regenerative anemia (29.6%), leukocytosis (26%) and thrombocytopenia (18.5%) were found. The results of serum biochemistry were normal in seven of 27 dogs (26%) and the major changes were hyperproteinemia (55.5%) and hypoalbuminemia (37%). The synovial inflammation was considered severe in 17 dogs (77.5%) and neutrophils prevalent in 52.4% of cases (n = 14). The treatment was performed in 18 dogs with immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids, and was effective in 89% of cases.

Doenças neurológicas em cães atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS: 1.184 casos (2006-2013) / Neurological diseases in dogs examined at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Maria, RS: 1.184 cases (2006-2013)

Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de cães atendidos no Serviço de Neurologia (SN) do Hospital Veterinário Universitário (HVU) da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), de 2006 a 2013, com o objetivo de identificar e caracterizar a idade, a raça, o sexo e as doenças neurológicas e classificá-las de acordo com a região anatômica e o acrônimo DINAMIT-V. Foram avaliadas 1.277 fichas neurológicas de cães e obtidas as informações para inclusão no estudo em 1.184 delas, sendo o diagnóstico confirmado em 525 cães (44,4%) e presuntivo em 659 (55,6%). A raça mais frequente foi Dachshund (28,7%), seguida dos cães sem raça definida. Os locais mais afetados foram medula espinhal entre T3-L3 (40,9%) e tálamo-córtex (17,5%). A maioria dos cães foi diagnosticada com doença degenerativa (49%), sendo a doença do disco intervertebral a mais observada, seguida das doenças inflamatórias/infecciosas (16,6%). Pode se concluir que a maior prevalência das doenças neurológicas de cães envolve a medula espinhal e o tálamo-córtex, sendo as degenerativas as mais frequentes e os dados obtidos podem auxiliar em futuros estudos sobre a frequência e a distribuição das principais doenças neurológicas em cães.

A retrospective study including dogs with neurological disease was conducted at the Service of Neurology (SN) of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) from 2006 to 2013, with the objective to identify and characterize age, breed, sex and to neurological diseases, and classify them accordingly to the anatomical region and DINAMIT-V acronym. There were evaluated 1,277 neurological records of dogs and obtained the information for inclusion in the study in 1,184 of them being the diagnosis confirmed in 525 (44.4%) and presumptive in 659 dogs (55.6%). The most common breed was Dachshund (28.7%), followed by mixed breed. The most affected sites were the spinal cord between T3-L3 (40.9%) and thalamus-cortex (17.5%). Most dogs were diagnosed with degenerative disorders (49%), being intervertebral disk disease the most observed, followed by inflammatory/infectious diseases (16.6%). It can be concluded that the higher prevalence of neurological disorders in dogs involve the spinal cord and thalamus-cortex, with the most frequent being degenerative and the data obtained may assist future studies associated with frequency and distribution of the main neurological diseases in dogs.