A comparison of leak pressures between esophageal to esophageal anastomosis and esophageal to jejunal anastomosis

The goal of this study was to determine if there was a difference in leak pressure between esophageal-esophageal anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis when using cadaveric porcine tissue. Leak pressures were recorded for esophagealesophageal anastomosis (Group 1 [control group], n = 7), cranial esophageal-jejunal anastomosis (Group 2, n = 7), and jejunal-caudal esophageal anastomosis (Group 3, n = 6). Each anastomosis was performed using polydioxanone sutures in a simple interrupted pattern. Results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Mean ± SD of the leak pressures for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 46.1 ± 15.9, 36.5 ± 13.6, and 50.9 ± 11.1 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.18). When the results from groups 2 and 3 were combined and compared to that for Group 1, the mean ± SD leak pressures were 46.1± 15.9 and 43.1± 14.2 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.67). These results provide preliminary evidence that the jejunum may be a suitable option for use in esophageal replacement surgery; however, future studies of in vivo factors influencing the integrity of esophageal-jejunal anastomoses, including histologic evaluation of esophageal-jejunal anastomosis healing, are needed.

Comparison of techniques for transdiaphragmatic thoracic drainage after diaphragmatic defect closure in dogs: a cadaveric study

Four thoracic evacuation techniques for pneumothorax elimination after diaphragmatic defect closure were compared in 40 canine cadavers. After creating a defect in the left side of the diaphragm, thoracic drainage was performed by thoracostomy tube insertion through the defect and a small (DD-SP) or large (DD-LP) puncture created in the caudal mediastinum, or through both the diaphragmatic defect and intact contralateral diaphragm with a small (DI-SP) or large (DI-LP) puncture in made in the caudal mediastinum. Differences in intrapleural pressure (IPP) between the right and left hemithoraxes after air evacuation along with differences in IPP before making a defect and after air evacuation in each hemithorax were calculated. A difference (p or = 0.0835) were observed for the DI-LP, DD-LP, or DI-SP groups. Creation of a large mediastinal puncture or thoracic evacuation through both a diaphragmatic defect and intact contralateral diaphragm can facilitate proper pneumothorax elimination bilaterally after diaphragmatic defect closure in dogs with a small puncture in the caudal mediastinum.

Surgical correction of pectus excavatum in two cats

Two sexually intact male Bengal cats, one a 4-month-old weighing 2.8 kg and the other, a 3-month-old weighing 2.0 kg, were presented to the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of respiratory distress. On initial presentation, both cats were dyspneic, exercise intolerant, and had marked concave deformation of the caudal sternum. Surgical correction of pectus excavatum was performed using a cylindrical external splint and U-shaped xternal splint. Post-operative thoracic radiography revealed that there was decreased concavity of the sternum and increased thoracic height at the level of the caudal sternebrae in both cats.