Permanent Implantable Medical Devices in Exotic Pet Medicine.

Medical devices are defined as implantable if they are intended to remain in the body after the procedure. In veterinary medicine, use of such devices is marginal but may find some indications. Use in exotic pet medicine is even more challenging due to size restriction and the limited data available. This review focuses on the esophageal and tracheal stent in the case of stricture, ureteral stent and subcutaneous ureteral bypass in the case of ureteral obstruction, permanent urinary diversion in the case of bladder atony, and pacemaker in the case of severe arrythmias. Comparative aspects are developed.

Combined excision and ablation of ampullary tumors with biliary or pancreatic intraductal extension is effective even in malignant neoplasms.

Background: The feasibility and outcome of endoscopic resection in ampullary tumors with intraductal growth remains unclear. Objective: To assess the safety, feasibility and outcomes of these patients treated by thermal ablation. Methods: Retrospective observational study. All consecutive patients who underwent an endoscopic snare papillectomy with a 6-month minimum follow-up were included. Ablation was performed with cystotomes and soft/forced coagulation. Successful endoscopic treatment was defined as no adenomatous residual tissue or recurrence observed at follow-up. Results: Of 86 patients presenting with an ampullary tumor, 73 (58 ± 14 years old, 49% men, 34% familial adenomatous polyposis) (median tumor size: 20 mm, range: 8-80) were included. En bloc and curative resection rates were achieved in 46.6% and 83.6%, respectively.Intraductal ingrowth was seen in 18 (24.7%) patients and histologically confirmed in 12 (16.4%). Intraductal ablation achieved a 100% success rate, with a 20-month median follow-up. Most of these patients had malignant forms (n = 8, 66.7%), with a higher adenocarcinoma rate (33.3% versus 3.3%, p = 0.001) compared to extraductal tumors.Overall, there was a 20.5% complication rate with no significant differences between both groups (p = 0.676). Conclusions: Intraductal ablation achieves a high therapeutic success rate in ampullary tumors with ≤20 mm ductal extension, even in malignant forms or biliary and pancreatic involvement. The technique is feasible, cheap and safe and may avoid major surgery.

A Further Application of Detachable Snare Loops (Endoloop) for Repair of Bladder Injury.

BACKGROUND: Complications of operative laparoscopy and laparoscopic hysterectomy were once repaired by laparotomy. Their laparoscopic repair still offers challenges, most especially in the presence of inflammation, scarring, and tissue distortion. This report presents a new application, under high-risk conditions, of a simple and effective method for repair of inadvertent cystotomy. CASE: A 29-year-old woman undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for a vaginal mass experienced an incidental bladder injury in the context of a retained foreign body, extensive inflammatory changes, and scarring. A novel use of a standard laparoscopic tool produced a rapid, effective bladder repair. CONCLUSION: Simple and effective cystotomy repair is possible even under extremely complex conditions.

Anastomosis ampliada con injerto de mucosa yugal en el tratamiento de la estrechez de uretra bulbar / Buccal mucosa graft augmented anastomotic urethroplasty for the treatment of bulbar urethral strictures

OBJETIVO: Reportar nuestros resultados con la utilización de la anastomosis ampliada con injerto de mucosa yugal para el manejo de la estrechez compleja de la uretra bulbar. MÉTODOS: Análisis retrospectivo de 65 pacientes operados en 2 Centros Hospitalarios independientes de cirugía reconstructiva, entre octubre de 2007 y enero de 2011. Se analizaron datos demográficos, resultados y complicaciones. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 50,09 años (rango: 25 a 75), siendo la longitud media de la estrechez de 3,95 cm (rango: 3 a 7) y un seguimiento promedio de 33,13 meses (rango: 12,7 a 52,77). El 80% de los pacientes había sido tratado previamente con múltiples uretrotomías internas y dilataciones. Las etiologías más frecuentes fueron instrumental (46,15%) e idiopática (35,38%). La tasa de éxito fue del 96,92%, recidivando en 2 pacientes, que fueron exitosamente tratados con uretrotomía interna. Las complicaciones fueron menores, Clavien Dindo I-II, ocurriendo en el 39,92% de los pacientes, y ninguna de ellas dejó secuelas incapacitantes a largo plazo. CONCLUSIÓN: La anastomosis ampliada permite corregir en un tiempo extensos procesos cicatrizales de la uretra y con gran compromiso de la luz uretral. Los resultados obtenidos en nuestra serie se comparan con aquellos de las series internacionales ya reportados

OBJECTIVE: To report our outcomes with the use of buccal mucosal graft anastomotic urethroplasty to reconstruct complex anterior urethral strictures. METHODS: Between October 2007 and January 2011 we conducted a retrospective review of a series of 65 patients from 2 different centers. We analyzed demographic data, surgical outcomes and complications. RESULTS: Patient mean age was 50.09 years (range: 25 to 75), mean stricture length was 3.95 cm (range: 3 to 7 cm) and mean follow-up 33.13 months (range: 12.7 to 52.77). Eighty percent of patients had prior treatments, mainly direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) and urethral dilatation. Most frequent etiologies were iatrogenic in 46.15% of patients and idiopathic in 35.38% of patients. Success rate was achieved in 96.92% of patients; only 2 patients presented recurrence and were treated successfully with one DVIU. Clavien Dindo I-II complications were found in 59% of patients. No patient had chronic sequels. CONCLUSION: Augmented anastomotic urethroplasty using dorsal onlay buccal mucosa graft enables correction, in one time, of long segment urethral strictures with severe spongiofibrosis and/or obliterated lumen. Our outcomes are comparable with those of previously reported in international series

Prospective study of the Transurethral Suprapubic endo-Cystostomy (T-SPEC(®)): an 'inside-out' approach to suprapubic catheter insertion.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the new medical device Transurethral Suprapubic endo-Cystostomy (T-SPeC(®)), used for suprapubic catheter (SPC) placement via the transurethral (inside-to-out) approach, and examine the 30-day outcomes in the first US series. METHODS: IRB approval was obtained for this prospective study. We evaluated the first 114 consecutive cases of SPC placement using the T-SPeC(®) device by a single surgeon at in a 20-month period. We excluded patients who underwent alternative approaches to suprapubic catheter placement including open abdominal approach (12) and percutaneous approach (5). Preoperative patient demographics, operative detail, success rate and 30-day complication rate were recorded. RESULTS: We successfully placed an 18 Fr suprapubic catheter using the T-SPeC(®) device in 98.2 % of patients. During the procedure, the capture housing was missed twice. The mean patient age was 56.6, BMI 29.4 kg/m(2), skin to bladder distance 6.7 cm and operative time 3.6 min. There were 12 postoperative complications within 30 days of the procedure including urinary tract infections (6), SPC exit site infection (2), SPC blockage (2) and catheter expulsion (2). There were no Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV complications such as re-operation, small bowel injury, hemorrhage or death. CONCLUSION: The T-SPeC(®) device is a novel, simple, accurate and minimally invasive device for SPC insertion from an inside-to-out approach. Our prospective study demonstrates that the T-SPeC(®) device can be placed safely and efficiently in a variety of patients with a need for urinary drainage.

Laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) in vivo suturing using a magnetic anchoring and guidance system (MAGS) camera in a porcine model: impact on ergonomics and workload.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ergonomics and workload of the surgeon during single-site suturing while using the magnetic anchoring and guidance system (MAGS) camera vs a conventional laparoscope. METHODS: Seven urologic surgeons were enrolled and divided into an expert group (n=2) and a novice group (n=5) according to their laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) experience. Each surgeon performed 2 conventional LESS and 2 MAGS camera-assisted LESS vesicostomy closures in a porcine model. A Likert scale (scoring 1-5) questionnaire assessing workload, ergonomics, technical difficulty, visualization, and needle handling, as well as a validated National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire were used to evaluate the tasks and workloads. RESULTS: MAGS LESS suturing was universally favored by expert and novice surgeons compared with conventional LESS in workload (3.4 vs 4.2), ergonomics (3.4 vs 4.4), technical challenge (3.3 vs 4.3), visualization (2.4 vs 3.3), and needle handling (3.1 vs 3.9 respectively; P<.05 for all categories). Surgeon NASA-TLX assessments found MAGS LESS suturing significantly decreased the workload in physical demand (P=.004), temporal demand (P=.017), and effort (P=.006). External instrument clashing was significantly reduced in MAGS LESS suturing (P<.001). The total operative time of MAGS LESS suturing was comparable to that of conventional LESS (P=.89). CONCLUSION: MAGS camera technology significantly decreased surgeon workload and improved ergonomics. Nevertheless, LESS suturing and knot tying remains a challenging task that requires training, regardless of which camera is used.

The use of rotational bladder flap and hemostatic matrix sealant (FloSeal): a modified transabdominal approach to repair supratrigonal and complex vesicovaginal fistula.

Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), commonly caused by prolonged obstructed labor, is one of the worst complications of childbirth and poor obstetric care in the developing world. We investigated the clinical efficacy and outcome of technical modifications of the current transperitoneal supravesical technique for supratrigonal and complex vesicovaginal fistula. We studied a total of 20 patients with iatrogenic supratrigonal and complex vesicovaginal fistula following obstetric trauma and hysterectomy. All patients underwent a modified transabdominal technique: the modifications consisted of passing a Foley catheter through the fistulous opening, inflating the balloon, and applying traction on the catheter to provide effective anchorage and to minimize the oozing from the cystotomy edges. The cystotomy was directed in the parasagittal line, and medial side of the bladder was rotated as a flap into the bladder defect; the urethral de Pezzare catheter was used for urinary drainage. We used hemostatic matrix sealant (FloSeal, Baxter BioSurgery, Westlake Village, California) to promote healing and hemostasis. The vesicovaginal fistula was successfully corrected in all patients after the first attempt, and no significant bladder dysfunction or decrease in bladder capacity was seen after repair. Interposition flaps were used in all patients, and six patients (30%) required ancillary procedures for other associated anomalies at the time of fistula repair. At a mean follow-up of two years, fourteen women were sexually active, and 5 (35%) from this group of patients complained of mild-to-moderate dyspareunia. In our study, supratrigonal VVFs were repaired with a transabdominal, transperitoneal, transvesical approach. Tailoring the cystotomy in a parasagittal line permitted closure of fistula by rotation of bladder flap into the defect. This excellent method should be a viable option when repairing complex VVF.

Experience with robot assisted laparoscopic surgery for upper and lower benign and malignant ureteral pathologies.

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience and outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) performed for different ureteral pathologies and to discuss the true utility of robotics in ureteral surgery. METHODS: We reviewed a total of 44 procedures performed for diverse ureteral pathologies involving the proximal and distal ureter in 2 institutions from July 2006 to July 2009. Operative time, blood loss, length of stay, complications, and subjective and objective follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: The 44 cases included 18 distal ureteral procedures including 5 distal ureterectomy with ureteroneocystostomy; 1 ureteroneocystostomy with psoas hitch; 2 ureteroneocystostomy with vesicovaginal fistula repair; 9 megaureter repairs in 8 cases; there were 12 proximal ureteral procedures including 7 ureteroureterostomies and 4 retrocaval ureter repairs; 10 ablative procedures consisting of 5 nephroureterectomies with cuff of bladder and 5 nephroureterectomies and 4 miscellaneous procedures. The mean operative time was 137.9 minutes (range: 70-240). Mean blood loss was 98.2 mL (range: <50-400). There were no urine leaks. Mean drain tube duration was 1.4 days (range: 1-2.5) and mean hospital stay was 2.4 days (range: 1-6). Complications included 1 case of sepsis and 1 antibiotic-induced infection. Average follow-up period was 13.5 months. Operative success as defined by symptom resolution and imaging was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: RALS is feasible, safe, and an effective option for ureteral pathologies at any level of the ureter with minimal peri-operative morbidity. However, appropriate port placement, patient positioning, and versatile experience of team is critical in handling such cases for better outcomes.

Pyelovesical bypass graft for palliative management of malignant ureteric obstruction: optimizing the technique by percutaneous access to the bladder using a split Amplatz sheath.

OBJECTIVES: To introduce a simple modification to the original technique of pyelovesical bypass graft placement to make the procedure more minimally invasive. METHODS: During the study period 2 patients with malignant ureteric obstruction underwent pyelovesical bypass graft placement using Detour stent (Mentor-Porges). The technique simply comprised tract dilatation of the previously placed percutaneous nephrostomy to place the proximal end of the graft in the renal collecting system, making a subcutaneous tunnel from a 1-cm suprapubic incision to the flank area, percutaneous access to the bladder under fluoroscopic guide and placement of the distal end of the stent into the bladder through a split Amplatz sheath. The operative outcome was analyzed prospectively. RESULTS: Both patients tolerated the procedures well with no intra- and postoperative complications. Renal function remained stable during the follow-up period with acceptable urine output through the urethra. Abdominal wall complications such as fistula formation or pain along the subcutaneous tract as well as stent encrustation did not occur during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Despite our small sample size and short follow-up period, percutaneous access to the bladder using a split Amplatz sheath during placement of the Detour stent, may be considered as a promising simple modification to optimize the technique by obviating the need for open cystostomy incision.

Initial experience with 10 cases of Indiana pouch continent urinary diversion.

Indiana pouch continent urinary diversion provides patient control over elimination of urine with periods of dryness. This allows emptying of urine from the pouch by catheter at convenient intervals avoiding major metabolic abnormalities with satisfactory renal function. Detubularization of the ascending colon and caecum with tapering of the terminal ileum and tunneled tenial implants of the ureters have resulted continent cutaneous urinary reservoir. In total 10 patients were included and follow-up period was for a period of 6 months to 5 years. One year after surgery overall day and night continence rate was in 70% patients, some leakage at day and night in 30% cases and no patient developed day or night incontinence. The mean capacity of the pouch was 530 ml at 12-18 months. Pouch pressure at full capacity was 16 cm H2O at 18 months. Indiana pouch provides better attention for urinary diversion in developing countries as it is well accepted, economically more suitable and relatively easy to construct, with good results in terms of continence and reduced complications with satisfactory renal function.