Buccal transposition flap for closure of maxillary lip defects in 5 dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique and outcomes of the closure of maxillary lip defects using a buccal transposition flap and to identify potential routes of vascular supply to the flap. ANIMALS: Five dogs treated clinically and 1 cadaveric dog head. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series and cadaveric study. METHODS: A left maxillary labial defect and a buccal transposition flap were created on a cadaver head. Iodinated contrast was injected into the left common carotid artery and computed tomography was performed to assess the vascular supply. Medical records were reviewed for all dogs that underwent tumor excision with maxillary lip resection, reconstructed with a buccal transposition flap. RESULTS: The buccal transposition flap was perfused by branches of the angularis oris artery and superior labial artery. Five dogs were included in this study. All flaps survived. Three dogs developed postoperative complications, including oronasal fistula (n = 2) and partial flap dehiscence (n = 1). The cosmetic and functional outcomes were considered satisfactory in all cases. CONCLUSION: Buccal transposition flaps for the closure of large maxillary lip defects provided adequate functional and cosmetic outcomes. The buccal transposition flap had vascular contributions from the angularis oris artery and the superior labial artery.

Metastasis to ipsilateral medial retropharyngeal and deep cervical lymph nodes in 22 dogs with thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of nodal metastasis to the medial retropharyngeal (MRP) and deep cervical lymph nodes in dogs surgically treated for thyroid carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Twenty-two client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records between July 2015 and October 2019 at the Universities of Missouri and Florida were reviewed. Dogs that underwent thyroidectomy with concurrent elective MRP lymphadenectomy ± deep cervical lymphadenectomy were included. Tumor site, preoperative staging, and histopathological findings were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-two dogs with 26 total thyroid carcinomas were included. Primary tumors were lateralized in 19 dogs, bilateral in two dogs, and bilateral and midline ectopic in one dog. All dogs underwent ipsilateral MRP resection, including bilateral resection in dogs with bilateral tumors. Three contralateral MRP lymph nodes were excised from dogs with unilateral carcinomas. Four deep cervical lymph nodes and one superficial cervical lymph node were excised. Metastases were identified in 14 lymph nodes in 10 of 22 (45%) dogs. All four excised deep cervical lymph nodes and one contralateral MRP lymph node were identified as metastatic. Size of deposit could be classified in 13 of 14 metastatic lymph nodes. Macrometastasis was detected in seven lymph nodes, micrometastasis was detected in one node, and isolated tumor cells were detected in five lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: Regional metastasis was common within the lymph nodes sampled in this population of dogs with thyroid carcinoma. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide evidence to justify further exploration of a larger population to verify the rate of regional metastasis and determine the prognostic impact of nodal metastasis.

Retrospective Evaluation of Whole Body Computed Tomography for Tumor Staging in Dogs with Primary Appendicular Osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whole body computed tomography (CT) for staging canine appendicular osteosarcoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma (n=39). METHODS: Medical records for client-owned dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma from August 2008 to July 2014 were reviewed. Dogs were included if they had a confirmed diagnosis of appendicular osteosarcoma and were staged using whole body CT. Data collected included signalment, body weight, primary tumor location, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, findings on 3-view thoracic radiographs, cytologic or histologic results, and findings on CT. RESULTS: Thirty-nine dogs (median age 8.5 years; median body weight 37 kg) had osteosarcoma of the distal radius (n=17), proximal humerus (11) and other sites. Serum ALP activity was elevated in 14 dogs. Bone metastasis was not detected in any dog on whole body CT. Pulmonary metastasis was considered definitive on CT based on board certified radiologist assessment in 2/39 dogs (5%). Two additional dogs (2/39, 5%) had soft tissue masses diagnosed on CT, consistent with concurrent, non-metastatic malignancies. CONCLUSION: Bone metastases were not identified in any dog with whole body CT. Thoracic and abdominal CT detected lung lesions and concurrent neoplasia in dogs with primary appendicular osteosarcoma. Whole body CT may be a useful adjunct to other screening tests for disseminated malignancy.

Total cysto-prostatectomy: Technique description and results in 2 dogs.

We describe a novel technique for total cysto-prostatectomy, followed by uretero-urethral anastomosis in 2 dogs. The technique was successful and was performed without pubic osteotomy. Post-operative urinary tract infections may be a potentially serious event.

Cysto-prostatectomie totale : description technique et résultats chez 2 chiens. Nous décrivons une technique innovatrice pour la cysto-prostatectomie totale, suivie d'une anastomose urétéro-urétrale chez 2 chiens. La technique a été réussie et réalisée sans l'ostéotomie du pubis. Les infections postopératoires des voies urinaires peuvent représenter une réaction indésirable potentiellement grave.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Outcome and postoperative complications in 73 dogs with thyroid carcinoma with gross vascular invasion managed with thyroidectomy.

Excellent outcomes have been reported following thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma in dogs, but outcomes for thyroid carcinomas with gross vascular invasion are poorly described. This study describes the clinical outcomes and complications in dogs with thyroid carcinomas with gross vascular invasion undergoing thyroidectomy. Medical records of dogs that underwent thyroidectomy between January 1st 2010 and December 31st 2019 were reviewed at 10 hospitals. Signalment, diagnostic data, primary and adjuvant treatments performed, and outcome were abstracted. Survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with disease-specific survival. Seventy-three dogs were included, of which 58 underwent unilateral thyroidectomy and 15 underwent bilateral thyroidectomy. Complications were reported in five dogs (three major, two minor; 6.8%) intraoperatively and 12 dogs (two major leading to death, 10 minor; 16.4%) postoperatively. Seven (9.6%) dogs developed locoregional recurrence at a median of 238 days postoperatively (range: 15-730 days). Distant metastasis was suspected or confirmed in nine dogs (12.3%) at a median of 375 days postoperatively (range: 50-890 days). Twenty-seven dogs (37%) received adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy: n = 21; radiotherapy: n = 6). Thirty-nine dogs were euthanized or died, with 20 deaths related to disease (n = 10) or of unknown cause (n = 10), 19 due to unrelated causes, and nine lost to follow-up. Median overall and disease-specific survival were 621 days and not reached respectively. One-year disease-specific survival rate was 82.5%. No variables were associated with disease-specific survival in our dataset. Surgery may be considered for loco-regional therapy in dogs with thyroid carcinoma with gross vascular invasion.

Patterns of lymph node metastasis identified following bilateral mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy in 31 dogs with malignancies of the head.

Variable pathways of lymphatic drainage have been described in the dog head and neck. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the patterns of lymph node metastasis in dogs with malignancies of the head following bilateral mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy. Thirty-one dogs were included. Median age at surgery was 10 years (range: 5 months to 14 years) and mean bodyweight was 21.4 ± 11.9 kg. Lymph node metastasis occurred in 14 dogs (45%), with spread to mandibular lymph nodes in 14 dogs and medial retropharyngeal metastasis in 11 dogs. Eight of 13 dogs (62%) with lymphatic metastasis and a lateralised lesion showed contralateral dissemination, while 12/13 (92%) showed ipsilateral metastasis. Of 13 dogs with oral malignant melanoma, four showed metastasis to all four lymph centres. Contralateral metastasis may occur in dogs with malignancies of the head and should be considered during staging and management.