Safe gastric wall closure in dogs using a single-layer full-thickness simple continuous suture pattern.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate different suture patterns for gastrostomy closure, with a focus on major complications and survival time. We hypothesized that using a full-thickness single-layer simple continuous pattern would be as safe as the traditional double-layer pattern and would not be associated with more major complications. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the suture patterns used for gastric closure in clinical situations. ANIMALS: 60 dogs that underwent gastrostomy for foreign body removal, with 20 dogs in each group. METHODS: Dogs treated with gastrotomy from January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2023, were randomly assigned to groups based on the suture pattern used at the gastrotomy site. Gastrotomies were closed with a double-layer inverting continuous pattern (DLI) in the DLI group. Gastrotomies were closed using a double-layer simple continuous pattern (DLS) in the DLS group. Gastrotomies were closed with a full-thickness single-layer simple continuous pattern (SLS) in the SLS group. RESULTS: All dogs were discharged from hospitalization. The survival rate did not differ among the 3 groups 1 month postoperatively, and major complications were not observed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Using a full-thickness single-layer pattern is a safe alternative for gastrotomy closure.

Outcomes of dogs undergoing surgery for gastric dilatation volvulus after rapid versus prolonged medical stabilization.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of dogs surgically treated for gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) after rapid versus prolonged medical stabilization. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study, monoinstitutional. SAMPLE POPULATION: One hundred and sixty-two dogs with GDV. METHODS: Dogs presenting with a GDV were allocated to 1 of 2 groups, immediate or delayed. In the immediate group, dogs were stabilized for 90 min prior to undergoing surgery. In the delayed group, dogs underwent surgery after at least 5 h of stabilization. Medical stabilization included gastric decompression and placement of an indwelling nasogastric tube to prevent further gastric dilatation in all dogs. Short-term outcomes were compared between surgical timings by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Dogs (n = 89) in the immediate group underwent surgery a median time of 2.1 h after presentation (range 1.9-2.5 h), whereas those in the delayed surgery group (n = 73) were operated a median time of 9.8 h (range 5.4-13.7 h) after presentation. Survival rates did not differ between dogs undergoing immediate or delayed surgery at discharge (70/89 and 60/73, respectively) or at 1 month postoperatively (68/89 and 55/73, respectively). The degree of gastric torsion was differently distributed between the 2 groups (P = .05). In the immediate group, 19, 52, and 9 dogs had a 0°, 180° and 270° gastric torsion respectively, whereas in the delayed group, 27, 32, and 5 dogs had a 0°, 180° and 270° gastric torsion respectively. Hyperlactatemia 24 h after initiation of fluid therapy was associated with an increased in-hospital mortality risk and at 1 month postoperatively. CONCLUSION: No survival benefit was detected as a result of proceeding to surgery after either a rapid or a prolonged medical stabilization. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The aggressive stabilization and monitoring protocol described here can be considered as an alternative to stabilize dogs with GDV prior to surgery within 13.7 h of presentation. Further research is required to investigate the potential risks and benefits of prolonged over rapid stabilization and to identify candidates for each approach.

Surgical management of a cervical esophageal diverticulum in and long-term outcome for a five-month-old cat.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-month-old domestic shorthair cat was presented for recurrent regurgitation and hypersalivation after eating, which had been evident since adoption 2 months earlier. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination was unremarkable. Plain thoracic radiography, positive contrast esophagography, endoscopy, CT, electromyography, and blood analysis were performed. A caudal cervical esophageal diverticulum, likely congenital, was diagnosed. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: A diverticulectomy was performed with a surgical stapler while an endoscope was in the esophageal lumen. No intra- or postoperative complications were reported. Postoperative and short-term outcomes were excellent, with resolution of clinical signs and no endoscopic esophageal abnormality 3 months after surgery. The cat remained without clinical signs 8 months after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An esophageal diverticulum in a cat is rare. The cat of this report had a good outcome following surgical management of a cervical esophageal diverticulum. Surgery is worth considering for similarly affected cats, but additional cases are required to confirm the benefit of surgery versus conservative management.

Management of a tracheal intussusception in a dog.

A 5-year-old Belgian Malinois dog was presented for evaluation of dyspnea of 1-month duration. Tracheal intussusception was diagnosed by tracheoscopy. Treatment consisted of surgical resection of the invaginated tracheal ring and the immediate cranial and caudal tracheal rings. The dog recovered uneventfully; complications included temporary emphysema after surgery. Seven months after surgery, the dog was still clinically normal. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a tracheal intussusception treated surgically in a dog.

Gestion d'une intussusception trachéale chez un chien. Un chien Malinois âgé de 5 ans a été présenté pour l'évaluation d'une dyspnée d'une durée de 1 mois. L'intussusception trachéale a été diagnostiquée par trachéoscopie. Le traitement instauré consistait en la résection chirurgicale de l'anneau trachéal et des anneaux trachéaux crâniaux et caudaux immédiats. Le chien s'est rétabli sans incident; les complications ont inclus un emphysème temporaire après la chirurgie. Sept mois après la chirurgie, le chien était toujours cliniquement normal. À la connaissance des auteurs, il s'agit du premier rapport d'une intussusception trachéale traitée par chirurgie chez un chien.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Changes in rima glottidis area and lack of laryngeal epiglottic-glottic seal after unilateral cricoarytenoid lateralization ex vivo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate variation in rima glottidis (RG) area and lack of epiglottic-glottic seal (LEGS) of the canine larynx associated with different suture anchor points in the arytenoid and cricoid cartilages, dissection of the cricoarytenoid joint capsule, section of the interarytenoid band, and disarticulation of the cricothyroid joint. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Cadaveric canine larynges (n = 18). METHODS: Larynges were assigned to 2 groups: group 1 = intact cricothyroid articulation and group 2 = cricothyroid articulation sharply sectioned. In each group, the arytenoid cartilage was lateralized successively as follows: (a) intact cricoarytenoid articulation, (b) cricoarytenoid articulation sharply sectioned, and (c) division of the interarytenoid band. Each variation was performed initially with the suture passed dorsally into the cricoid cartilage then with the suture passed laterally. Each time, the increase of rima glottis area (%) and the LEGS (mm(2) ) were measured. RESULTS: Rima glottis area (RGA): when the suture was placed dorsally, division of the interarytenoid band resulted in a significant increase in RGA compared with groups with an intact band. Laryngeal distortion: when the suture through the cricoid cartilage was dorsal, LEGS increased with section of the cricothyroid articulation, dissection of cricoarytenoid articulation, and division of the interarytenoid band. CONCLUSION: Unilateral arytenoid lateralization results in some degree of LEGS with a misalignment of the epiglottis over the RG. Our results revealed that the optimal RGA associated with the minimal LEGS was obtained with dorsal placement of a cricoarytenoid suture when the cricothyroid joint and the interarytenoid band were intact.