Intraoperative and early postoperative pain in cats that underwent ovariohysterectomy using a spay hook: a randomised, masked, experimental study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the feasibility and practicality of the ovariohysterectomy (OHE) technique in cats with or without a spay hook with respect to the incision size, surgical time, surgical variables, and intra- and postoperative pain. Twenty-nine female cats underwent OHE using a spay hook (spay hook group [SHG], n = 15) or without using a spay hook (control group [CG], n = 14) to achieve the ovaries and cervix. Physiological parameters were monitored during the intraoperative period, and postoperative pain was assessed using a multidimensional composite and visual analogue pain scales. RESULTS: The SHG had a significantly shorter operative time than the CG. The variables in the intraoperative period showed no statistically significant difference between both groups, as well as the early postoperative pain. CONCLUSIONS: Less invasive OHE using a spay hook could potentially be a viable and feasible technique when performed by an inexperienced surgeon with appropriate training, especially in sterilisation campaigns, reducing the time to perform the procedure and increasing the number of animals spayed per time.

Biomechanical evaluation of a new femoral stem design for total hip replacement in a canine model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biomechanical properties of a novel total hip replacement femoral stem. METHODS: Eight pairs of femurs from dog cadavers were used. The femurs were separated into different groups. A novel femoral stem with a convex proximal portion (Stem B) was biomechanically evaluated and compared to awell-known veterinary collared stem (Stem A). Femoral stems were inserted into the contralateral femurs from the same dog, forming 16 constructs. A flexo-compression load was applied on the axial axis of each sample. Maximum strength, deflection, stiffness, and energy absorption were analysed. RESULTS: Group B constructs showed significantly higher values (p ? 0.05) for the variables, except stiffness. The mean maximum strength was 1,347 ± 357 N for Group A and 1,805 ± 123 N for Group B (p ? 0.0069). The mean deflection was5.54 ± 2.63 mm for Group A and 10.03 ± 3.99 mm for Group B (p ? 0.0056). For the energy variable, the force was 6,203 ± 3,488 N/mm for Group A and 12,885 ± 5,056 N/mm for Group B (p ? 0.0054). Stem B had greater maximum strength, deflection, and energy. CONCLUSIONS: The new stem was effective in neutralizing the impact of axial flexion-compression stresses during biomechanical tests in cadaveric models.

Percutaneous application of allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell in dogs submitted to minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of the tibia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcome following minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) associated with percutaneous transplantation of allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) at the tibial fracture site in dogs. METHODS: Thirty-six dogs presenting with nonarticular complete tibial fracture were included in this study. All fractures were treated by the same MIPO technique. The animals were divided in group 1 (n = 20) received a percutaneous application of 3 × 106 AD-MSC at the fracture site and group 2 (n = 16) did not receive any adjuvant treatment. Postoperative radiographic examinations were made at 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. RESULTS: Fifty-eight percent of the patients were classified as skeletally immature. The median weight of the animals was 18.8 kg. The mean radiographic union time differed statistically between the AD-MSC group (28.5 days) and the control group (70.3 days). Sixty percent of dogs in group 1 and 56.25% of the group 2 were considered immature. CONCLUSIONS: The use of allogeneic AD-MSC cell therapy and MIPO is a safe, viable and effective technique for promoting bone healing in nonarticular tibial fractures in dogs.

Biomechanical evaluation of a new femoral stem design for total hip replacement in a canine model

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the biomechanical properties of a novel total hip replacement femoral stem. Methods Eight pairs of femurs from dog cadavers were used. The femurs were separated into different groups. A novel femoral stem with a convex proximal portion (Stem B) was biomechanically evaluated and compared to awell-known veterinary collared stem (Stem A). Femoral stems were inserted into the contralateral femurs from the same dog, forming 16 constructs. A flexo-compression load was applied on the axial axis of each sample. Maximum strength, deflection, stiffness, and energy absorption were analysed. Results Group B constructs showed significantly higher values (p ? 0.05) for the variables, except stiffness. The mean maximum strength was 1,347 ± 357 N for Group A and 1,805 ± 123 N for Group B (p ? 0.0069). The mean deflection was5.54 ± 2.63 mm for Group A and 10.03 ± 3.99 mm for Group B (p ? 0.0056). For the energy variable, the force was 6,203 ± 3,488 N/mm for Group A and 12,885 ± 5,056 N/mm for Group B (p ? 0.0054). Stem B had greater maximum strength, deflection, and energy. Conclusions The new stem was effective in neutralizing the impact of axial flexion-compression stresses during biomechanical tests in cadaveric models.

Topical application of lidocaine or bupivacaine in the healing of surgical wounds in dogs.

PURPOSE: To analyze the anesthetic drugs interference with wound healing when used in the surgical bed. METHODS: Macro and microscopic aspects of healing of surgical wounds were evaluated after instillation of topical anesthetics without vasoconstrictor or saline solution 0.9% as control in the transsurgical period. Thirty dogs, males and females were divided into two experimental groups. In both groups, two circular punch lesions of 6 mm diameter were performed in the abdomen. In group 1, lidocaine was instilled in one of the lesions and saline solution in the contralateral lesion. In group 2 the procedure was repeated with the use of bupivacaine. The macroscopic assessment of the lesions was performed on the first, third and tenth postoperative day. The excisional biopsy was performed on the tenth day and the samples were submitted for histopathological examination. RESULTS: The macroscopic analysis had a significant difference between groups. Microscopic analysis was not significant between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The topical application of lidocaine and bupivacaine in the surgical wound is feasible and it does not influence skin healing. The benefit of such a practice, which has been the subject of other studies, seems to outweigh the risks.

Topical application of lidocaine or bupivacaine in the healing of surgical wounds in dogs

Abstract Purpose: To analyze the anesthetic drugs interference with wound healing when used in the surgical bed. Methods: Macro and microscopic aspects of healing of surgical wounds were evaluated after instillation of topical anesthetics without vasoconstrictor or saline solution 0.9% as control in the transsurgical period. Thirty dogs, males and females were divided into two experimental groups. In both groups, two circular punch lesions of 6 mm diameter were performed in the abdomen. In group 1, lidocaine was instilled in one of the lesions and saline solution in the contralateral lesion. In group 2 the procedure was repeated with the use of bupivacaine. The macroscopic assessment of the lesions was performed on the first, third and tenth postoperative day. The excisional biopsy was performed on the tenth day and the samples were submitted for histopathological examination. Results: The macroscopic analysis had a significant difference between groups. Microscopic analysis was not significant between groups. Conclusions: The topical application of lidocaine and bupivacaine in the surgical wound is feasible and it does not influence skin healing. The benefit of such a practice, which has been the subject of other studies, seems to outweigh the risks.