Laparoscopic ovariectomy in a dog with type III sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis and literature review.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a rare and not well-recognized disease in veterinary medicine. A 14-month-old female intact mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) at the age of 5 months after a routine work-up including biopsies from an exploratory laparotomy. Symptomatic treatment with an immunosuppressive dose of prednisolone was started, but dose reduction was unsuccessful. Combined treatment with tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator used for its TGF-ß1 suppression of fibroblasts was discussed; the owner was informed about the risk for developing a pyometra. About one year later the owner wanted to spay her dog and an ovariectomy was recommended, especially due to the extensive adhesions. A laparoscopic approach was chosen to reduce the amount of intraoperative tissue manipulation and inflammation, as well as to minimize the size of the incision. The dog continues to be doing well one year after surgery and prednisolone could be reduced to a low maintenance dose after surgery; so far, the addition of tamoxifen was not required. In selected cases, laparoscopy appears as a safe alternative in patients with adhesions, but the surgeon should always be prepared to convert in case of impaired vision, especially in the absence of tactile sensation. This case report is the first description of laparoscopy in a dog with SEP. Laparoscopy may serve as an easily accomplished minimally invasive method to diagnose SEP, but further studies are required.

Mechanical Performance of a Polyaxial Locking Plate and the Influence of Screw Angulation in a Fracture Gap Model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the locking compression plate (LCP) with polyaxial locking system (PLS) using single cycle to failure 4-point bending test and to investigate the behaviour of PLS with screws inserted mono- and polyaxially using cyclic fatigue test in two bending directions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tests were performed on bone surrogates in a fracture gap model. The 3.5 LCP and 3.5 PLS plates were tested in single cycle to failure. The 3.5 PLS plates with mono- and polyaxial screws were compared in a cyclic fatigue tests in two orthogonal directions. For both experiments, micro-computed tomography (CT) scans were performed pre- and post-testing to investigate the connections between the screw head and the plate hole. Means of forces and cycles needed to failure were statistically compared. RESULTS: The PLS plates were on average 30% weaker than LCP plates. Mode of failure was plate bending in the single cycle to failure tests, and plate breakage in the cyclic fatigue tests. Neither screw breakage nor loss of the screw-plate interface occurred. Mono- and polyaxial constructs performed similarly when loaded in the same direction. Micro-CT revealed no additional internal cracks in the plates or screws after testing. It also showed for both PLS and LCP that there was only partial contact of the screw head with the plate hole. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PLS offers a durable locking system, even when the screws are placed polyaxially. The weaker bending properties of the PLS compared with LCP should be considered during preoperative planning.

The Function of the Short Lateral Collateral Ligaments of the Canine Tarsus: A Cadaveric Study.

Information on the clinical behavior and treatment of cases with an isolated rupture of the short collateral ligaments of the canine tarsus is sparse and contradictory in the veterinary literature. Our objective was to evaluate the function of the short lateral collateral ligaments (SLCLs) of the tarsocrural joint in 90° flexion. Eight canine cadaveric limbs were tested for internal/external rotation and valgus/varus before and after transection of one or both SLCLs. In one group, the fibulocalcaneal ligament was transected first, followed by the fibulotalar. In the second group, the order of ligament transection was reversed. Angular changes between two k-wires were measured and compared. External rotation increased significantly after transection of one or both SLCLs (P = .009 and P < .0005), as did varus (P = .021 and P = .001). Lateral subluxation was only possible when both SLCLs were cut. Unlike the long lateral collateral ligament, which stabilizes against deviation toward medial, both SLCLs are major stabilizers against subluxation toward lateral. This important difference must be considered in clinical patients with isolated rupture of the SLCLs.

The Function of the Short Medial Collateral Ligaments of the Canine Tarsus: A Cadaveric Study.

Information on the clinical behavior of cases with an isolated rupture of the short collateral ligaments of the canine tarsus is sparse. Our objective was to evaluate the function of the short medial collateral ligaments (SMCLs) in 90° flexion. Eight cadaveric limbs were tested for internal/external rotation and valgus/varus before and after transection of one or both SMCLs. In one group, the tibiocentral ligament was transected first, followed by the tibiotalar. In the second group, the order of transection was reversed. Angular changes between two k-wires were measured and compared. Internal rotation increased significantly after transection of one or both SMCLs (P = .015 and P = .004), with higher angular changes in the group in which the tibiotalar ligament was transected first (P = .003). Transection of this ligament alone was sufficient to cause caudomedial subluxation upon internal rotation. Valgus angulation increased after transection of one ligament (P = .022), but there was also an increase in varus angulation after transection of both ligaments (P = .027). Unlike the long medial collateral ligament, which stabilizes against deviation toward lateral, the SMCL stabilizes against subluxation toward medial, with the tibiotalar ligament being the major stabilizer in flexion. Findings can be used as diagnostic guidance for isolated tarsal short collateral ligament injuries.