Surgical induction of metacarpal synostosis for treatment of ectrodactyly in a dog.

Ectrodactyly is a rare developmental anomaly of the distal part of the forelimb. It is characterized by the presence of an abnormal longitudinal soft tissue and osseous separation or cleft between the digits and the metacarpal bones. It can be associated with hypoplasia, aplasia and malformation of one or more bones of the antebrachium, carpus, metacarpus and digits. Unilateral ectrodactyly and moderate lameness were diagnosed in a young female dog. The dog was treated surgically with reconstruction of soft tissues and stabilization of the metacarpal bones by two nylon cerclage sutures. After three years a mild residual lameness was present. Radiographic signs of synostosis between the metacarpal bones II, III and IV with presence of a cleft between carpal bones II and III were observed.

The use of fentanyl-patch in dogs undergoing spinal surgery: plasma concentration and analgesic efficacy.

Objectives of this study were to evaluate plasma concentrations and analgesic efficacy of fentanyl administered transdermically in dogs undergoing spinal surgery. At the end of the surgery and before awakening, a fentanyl-patch was applied and was maintained in situ for 72 h. Blood samples were taken before the application of the patch, at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 32, 40, 48, 60, and 72 h after application and then 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h after its removal. Before each blood sampling, pain evaluation was carried out using the Glasgow pain score, appropriately modified. Plasma concentrations of fentanyl were determined using a specific immuno-enzymatic kit. In this study, the minimum analgesic plasma concentration (0.23 ng/mL) required to achieve analgesia in human and considered to apply also for dogs was reached in all animals. No animal showed pain in the range of 'intense pain'; in two cases, the level of the pain was slight or moderate. No undesired effects were found. Results suggest that the use of transdermic patches could represent a valid aid in pain therapy in small animals; in particular, it contributes to the postoperative well-being of patients undergoing major surgery.

Glubran 2: a new acrylic glue for neuroradiological endovascular use. Experimental study on animals.

SUMMARY: A new acrylic glue, Glubran 2, is now available on the European market. It bears the CE mark with several surgical indications and the specific indication for neuroradiological endovascular use. Despite this approval, to our knowledge its use is still limited to surgery and no injections have been made in human patients. This study was designed to evaluate the behavior of Glubran 2 in endovascular injection in a simulation of brain AVM. Six sheep were operated on opening a fistula between the right common carotid artery and the jugular vein. This fistula modifies blood flow in the skull base rete mirabilis, which then functions as an AVM. In two sheep, the rete mirabilis was occluded by injection of 1.5 ml of Histoacryl diluted 1:1 and 1:3 with Lipiodol. In two sheep, the rete was embolized by injection of 1.5 ml of Glubran 2 diluted 1:1 with Lipiodol. The last two sheep were embolized by injection of Glubran 2 diluted 1:3 with Lipiodol. The procedures were documented by DSA angiographic acquisitions and by fluoroscopic VHS. The sheep were killed immediately after the procedures and the rete mirabilis isolated for histologic examination. Embolization was obtained with both kinds of glue. Glubran 2 diffuses in a very similar way to Histoacryl with an apparently more complete diffusion. Reflux in the ascending pharyngeal artery showed that Glubran 2 tended not to produce bubbles but diffused more homogeneously. The subjective conclusion of this work is that Glubran 2 can be used in endovascular embolizations. Before approaching brain AVMs, a further study will investigate embolization of the external carotid territory.

Interaction between vascular prostheses and rifampicin in the prevention of the grafts infection. An experimental study.

Infections caused by synthetic prostheses are relatively rare (1.5-6%) but serious complication in vascular surgery. There is no doubt that during and immediately after surgery bacterial contamination may occur. An in vitro study was carried out in the Vascutek laboratories, which revealed a high affinity between prostheses in Dacron gel and Rifampicin. This affinity, the result of an ionic bond, was demonstrated by the fact that after 5 days Rifampicin was still present on the prostheses. Encouraged by this result, an experimental study was carried out in sheep. Five sheep were operated on making a prosthetic graft in both of the common carotid arteries: on one side a Gelseal Dacron prosthesis was implanted after being soaked for 15 minutes in a solution containing 1 mg/ml Rifampicin. A Knitted Dacron prosthesis was implanted in the contralateral carotid artery, again after pretreatment with Rifampicin. Explants were made after 2, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, and the concentration of Rifampicin on the prostheses was assessed on the basis of the diameter of the inhibition area on Staphylococcus aureus cultures. The results showed that the Gelseal Dacron prostheses maintained Rifampicin concentrations with an antibacterial activity up to 72 hours; this property disappears with the Knitted Dacron prostheses after only 24 hours. These results confirm the high affinity of Gelseal Dacron and Rifampicin also in in vivo experimental models.