Association of mesenteric volvulus in police working dogs with and without a prior prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of mesenteric volvulus (MV) in New York Police Department police working dogs (PWDs) with and without a prior prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy (PLG). ANIMALS: 370 PWDs (82 with and 288 without PLG). METHODS: Medical records and surgery and radiology reports were reviewed from 2012 to 2022. Signalment, pertinent history (medical and surgical), gastropexy status, temperament, and training type were recorded. Statistical analysis was used to identify the relationship between prophylactic gastropexy and MV within the patient population. RESULTS: 3 cases of mesenteric volvulus were noted in this patient population. Two (2.4%) of the 82 PWDs that had undergone prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy developed MV, whereas 1 (0.3%) of the 288 PWDs that had not undergone a gastropexy procedure developed MV. Police working dogs with PLG were estimated to be at 7.2 times greater odds of MV (point estimate OR, 7.18; 95% CI, 0.642 to 80.143); however, the low incidence of MV in this population limited statistical power, and thus this effect did not achieve statistical significance. Evaluation of MV incidence in additional populations of working dogs will allow greater precision in the point estimate. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prophylactic gastropexy may be associated with an increased risk for MV. However, patients without prophylactic gastropexy are at risk for gastric dilatation and volvulus, which is more common than MV. Therefore, the authors continue to recommend prophylactic gastropexy to decrease the risk for gastric dilatation and volvulus.

Comparison of surgeon experience using simple interrupted and simple continuous suture patterns in intestinal resection and anastomosis.

This experimental study compared leak pressures and completion time of intestinal anastomoses performed by novice veterinarians and a Board-certified surgeon using simple interrupted and simple continuous suture patterns. Grossly normal jejunal segments (n = 108) from 6 fresh canine cadavers were used to harvest 8-cm cooled canine cadaveric jejunal segments that were randomly assigned to a control group (12 segments) and 4 treatment groups (24 segments/group, 12 constructs/group): i) simple interrupted anastomoses performed by a Board-certified surgeon (BSI); ii) simple continuous anastomoses performed by a Board-certified surgeon (BSC); iii) simple interrupted anastomoses performed by novice veterinarians (NSI); and iv) simple continuous anastomoses performed by novice veterinarians (NSC). Median (range) initial leak pressure (ILP) for control was 400.2 mmHg (226.0 to 500.0 mmHg), BSI 37.4 (14.4 to 124.0), BSC 32.5 (13.4 to 91.0), NSI 36.5 (22.9 to 62.0), and NSC 47.5 (8.9 to 120.0). No difference was noted between experience (P = 0.73, P = 0.53), suture technique (P = 0.07, P = 0.38), or across treatment groups (P = 0.17, P = 0.94), for ILP or MIP (maximum intraluminal pressure), respectively. Time to construct completion differed based on suture technique (P < 0.0001) and experience (P < 0.0001). The median and mean ILP of all anastomoses exceeded physiologic intraluminal peristaltic pressures. Simple continuous anastomoses were faster to complete overall. Both handsewn anastomosis techniques are appropriate for intestinal anastomoses.

Cette étude expérimentale a comparé les pressions de fuite et le temps de complétion d'anastomoses intestinales réalisées par des vétérinaires novices et un chirurgien certifié comme spécialiste en utilisant des schémas de suture simples interrompus et continus simples. Des segments jéjunaux grossièrement normaux (n = 108) de six cadavres canins frais ont été utilisés pour prélever des segments jéjunaux cadavériques canins refroidis de 8 cm qui ont été assignés au hasard à un groupe témoin (12 segments) et à quatre groupes de traitement (24 segments/groupe, 12 constructions/groupe) : i) anastomoses simples interrompues réalisées par un chirurgien agréé par le Board (BSI); ii) des anastomoses continues simples réalisées par un chirurgien certifié par le Board (BSC); iii) les anastomoses simples interrompues réalisées par des vétérinaires novices (NSI); et iv) des anastomoses continues simples réalisées par des vétérinaires novices (NSC). La pression de fuite initiale médiane (plage) pour le témoin était de 400,2 mmHg (226,0 à 500,0 mmHg), BSI 37,4 (14,4 à 124,0), BSC 32,5 (13,4 à 91,0), NSI 36,5 (22,9 à 62,0) et NSC 47,5 (8,9 à 120,0). Aucune différence n'a été notée entre l'expérience (P = 0,73, P = 0,53), la technique de suture (P = 0,07, P = 0,38) ou entre les groupes de traitement (P = 0,17, P = 0,94), pour l'ILP ou la MIP (pression intraluminale maximale), respectivement. Le temps de complétion de l'assemblage différait en fonction de la technique de suture (P < 0,0001) et de l'expérience (P < 0,0001). L'ILP médian et moyen de toutes les anastomoses dépassait les pressions péristaltiques intraluminales physiologiques. Les anastomoses continues simples étaient globalement plus rapides à réaliser. Les deux techniques d'anastomose cousues à la main conviennent aux anastomoses intestinales.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Successful Surgical Correction of Congenital Colonic Duplication and Anogenital Cleft in a Cat.

A 17 wk old sexually intact female domestic shorthair kitten presented for an anogenital cleft and enlarged colon. The cat had experienced bacterial cystitis and constipation since weaning. Contrast referral images revealed an enlarged colon with a patent anus. Clinical examination revealed an anogenital cleft with a common anovulvar orifice. The rectum was patent upon digital rectal palpation, and fecal contamination of the vulva was present. Abdominal radiographs revealed two distinct colons, both filled with a moderate amount of formed fecal material. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed segmental duplication of the descending colon with a dominant right colon and a smaller accessary left colon. The two structures conjoined at the transverse colon proximally and at the pubic brim distally. A common anogenital orifice with anovulvar communication was also noted. The anogenital cleft malformation was successfully repaired surgically. A celiotomy was performed to remove the smaller accessory colon. An ovariectomy and partial hysterectomy were also performed. The patient recovered uneventfully and showed no gross evidence of recurrent cystitis or urinary or fecal incontinence postoperatively. This is believed to be the first report of a congenital anogenital cleft and complete communicating colonic duplication in a cat.