Tramadol vs. Lidocaine Administered Intraperitoneally and in Incisional Lines for the Intraoperative and Postoperative Pain Management of Romifidine-Telazol-Anesthetized Swine Undergoing Umbilical Hernia Repair.

The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of tramadol and lidocaine for local anesthesia during umbilical hernia repair in swine. The study was performed on 66 large white crossbred swine. The swine received a mixture of tiletamine/zolazepam at 5 mg/kg and romifidine at 80 µg/kg, administered intramuscularly. Then, they were divided into three groups (n = 22) that received different treatments with lidocaine at 4 mg/kg and tramadol at 4 mg/kg. The LL group received lidocaine both by infiltration of the surgical planes and intraperitoneally. The LT group received lidocaine by infiltration of the surgical planes and tramadol intraperitoneally. The TT group received tramadol both by infiltration of the surgical planes and intraperitoneally. In all groups, the infiltration of the surgical planes into the umbilical region involved both the skin and muscle planes. Heart rate, noninvasive arterial blood pressure, and respiratory frequency were recorded during surgery. The response to the surgical stimulus was evaluated using a cumulative pain scale (the cut-off point for rescue analgesia was set to 10). Postoperative pain was assessed using the UNESP-Botucatu pig composite acute pain scale (the cut-off point was set to 4). The trend of physiological variables was adequate for patients under anesthesia. No subject required intraoperative and postoperative rescue analgesia. Tramadol could therefore be used for pain management in livestock.

Hernioplasty with Peritoneal Flap for the Surgical Treatment of Umbilical Hernia in Swine.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical hernia is one of the most common developmental defects in swine, producing large economic losses for farmers, forced to slaughter animals at a younger age and therefore at a lower weight to prevent fatal complications. This study describes a surgical technique to repair umbilical hernia through the use of autologous prostheses, allowing recovery of the affected animals; Methods: After a general examination of the swine and examination of the lesions, the swine were anesthetized and underwent surgery. The surgery was performed by combining the traditional herniorrhaphy with the inclusion and fixation of a peritoneal flap obtained from the incision of the same hernial sac; Results: Follow-ups were carried out at 7, 30 and 60 days and demonstrated healing in all of the treated subjects; Conclusions: The use of this surgical technique allows for providing resistance to herniorrhaphy performed through the use of a cost-free autologous biomaterial prosthesis, with excellent tissue compatibility. This might allow for reducing significantly the rate of relapses and eliminating the risk of rejection.

Predisposing Anatomical Factors of Humeral Fractures in Birds of Prey: A Preliminary Tomographic Comparative Study.

The aim of this study was to identify possible predisposing anatomical factors associated with humeral fractures in birds of prey through comparison of specific anatomical features in different raptor species. An anatomical study of bone features in birds of prey was performed on 3 male subjects from 5 different species. The selected species included in this investigation were 3 diurnal species (the common buzzard [Buteo buteo], the peregrine falcon [Falco peregrinus], and the European honey-buzzard [Pernis apivorus]) and 2 nocturnal species (the barn owl [Tyto alba] and the tawny owl [Strix aluco]). Humeral bone samples were tomographically analyzed with a micro-macro-focus computed tomographic machine. Specific humeral anatomical points were selected (foramen pneumaticum and tuberculum dorsale for the proximal humerus; corpus humeri for the diaphyseal humerus; and above the condylus dorsalis for the distal humerus) to measure foramen pneumaticum diameter (in millimeters), cortical thickness (in millimeters), and trabeculae number and sizes (in millimeters). Apparent density, measured with the Hounsfield unit, was used to assess the degree of bone resistance. Statistical analysis was performed with a Spearman's correlation, and significance was set at P < .05. The differences among the observed bone volumes were highly significant (P = .00). Trabeculae number and the humeral anatomical point measurements showed differences in all 5 avian species investigated. However, those differences were not significant, except at the condylus dorsalis; in which, a significant interspecies difference (P = .002) was recorded. Trabecular size, cortical thickness, bone density, and diameter of the foramen pneumaticum were all different in all raptor species; however, these variations were not significant. The study confirms the existence of humeral bone volume differences between diurnal and nocturnal species. Furthermore, the data suggest that the humeri of peregrine falcons and European honey-buzzards may be stronger than the humeri of common buzzards, tawny owls, and barn owls.

Locking compression plates versus locking plates for tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs: progression of osteoarthritis, bone healing score and lameness degree.

BACKGROUND: The partial or complete cranial cruciate ligament rupture is a common skeletal disease affecting the stifle joint in dogs. The tibial plateau levelling osteotomy, performed with several synthesis systems, changed the approach to its treatment in dogs. The aim of this study was to compare two types of fixation implants, locking compression system and locking system, evaluating radiographically the progression of osteoarthritis of the stifle joint in dogs with complete cranial cruciate ligament deficiency treated surgically with tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Moreover, we evaluated bone healing and lameness scores to show biomechanical effects by the implant used. Twenty-eight dogs, who met the inclusion criteria, were divided into two groups. Group A: 14 dogs treated using locking compression plates; Group B: 14 dogs treated using locking plates. Radiographic osteoarthritis scores were evaluated up to 1 year following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. At each visit, animals were clinically and radiographically assessed. Each dog was evaluated before (T0) and after two (T2) and twelve (T12) months after the surgery. At T2 the stage of bone healing was evaluated. The clinical follow up was performed before the surgery and at 10, 15 and 20 days after the surgery, grading the lameness at walk and trot. RESULTS: An increase in osteoarthritis score at T12 versus T0 in both groups was detected. A decrease of the lameness score was observed in Group A versus Group B. The healing score system at T2 showed a lower score in Group A versus Group B. CONCLUSIONS: The osteoarthritis score following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy did not differ when comparing the two different fixation systems. The locking compression system allowed a more rapid functional recovery of the limb and a quicker bone healing than the locking system. Locking compression system should be carefully considered for dogs subjected to tibial plateau levelling osteotomy surgery, because it may reduce the recovery time.

Platelet-rich Plasma Combined With a Sterile 3D Polylactic Acid Scaffold for Postoperative Management of Complete Hoof Wall Resection for Keratoma in Four Horses.

Keratoma is a nonmalignant horse tumor that grows in the space between the horn of the hoof and the distal phalanx. Keratoma causes lameness in the horse, and surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Four horses underwent removal of a keratoma by complete hoof wall resection. The remaining wound was treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with a sterile three-dimensional polylactic acid scaffold. The PRP was applied at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 days postoperatively. The surgical site was cleaned with gauzes and swabs soaked in Ringer's lactate solution before applying PRP and the foot bandage. Healthy granulation tissue developed at 6-21 days postoperatively. The hoof wall defect was completely filled with new hoof wall within 6-8 months after surgery. All horses returned to their previous exercise level, and no recurrence of lameness was reported by the owner.