Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for resection of unilateral noninvasive adrenal masses in dogs is associated with excellent outcomes in experienced centers.

OBJECTIVE: To report the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for resection of unilateral adrenal masses and to document risk factors for conversion and peri- and postoperative morbidity. ANIMALS: 255 client-owned dogs. METHODS: Dogs were included if LA was attempted for resection of a unilateral adrenal mass. Medical records were evaluated and relevant data were reported, including complications, conversion, perioperative death, and long-term outcomes. Signalment, clinicopathological data, and surgical experience were factors statistically evaluated for possible associations with capsular penetration during surgery, conversion, surgical time, duration of hospital stay, death prior to discharge, mass recurrence, and survival time. RESULTS: 155 dogs had left-sided tumors, and 100 had right-sided tumors. Conversion to an open approach was performed in 9.4% of cases. Capsular penetration (19.2%) and major hemorrhage (5.4%) were the most prevalent intraoperative complications. Of the dogs operated on, 94.9% were discharged from the hospital. Lesion side, portion of the gland affected, and surgeon experience influenced surgical time. Conversion rate increased with increasing body condition score and lesion size. Risk of death prior to discharge increased with increasing lesion size. Risk of conversion and death prior to discharge were lower when performed by more experienced surgeons. Capsular penetration during LA increased the risk of tumor recurrence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: LA for resection of unilateral adrenal masses is associated with excellent outcomes in experienced centers. Surgeons with greater experience with LA have lower surgical times, conversion rates, and risk of death prior to discharge.

Prevalence of and risk factors for chronic bronchitis in a Canadian population: the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2007 to 2008.

BACKGROUND: Chronic bronchitis (CB) represents one of the respiratory disease phenotypes that affect the Canadian health care system significantly. Presently, almost 6.5% of total health care costs are related to respiratory diseases. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of self-reported CB and associated risk factors in the Canadian general population. METHODS: Data regarding individuals ≥12 years of age from the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2007 to 2008, were analyzed. CB was determined through self-reported health professional diagnosis. Information regarding covariates of importance, such as demographics, lifestyle variables and socioeconomic status, was obtained. A weighted logistic regression analysis was performed with appropriate technique for clustering effects. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported CB was 2.5%. A greater prevalence of self-reported CB associated with older age, female sex and white ethnic group was found. There were differences in the prevalence of self-reported CB among regions of Canada for household income, educational attainment and smoking status. CONCLUSION: The results suggest an association between ethnicity and the prevalence of CB. The associations between self-reported CB prevalence and household income, educational attainment and smoking status varied according to region of Canada.