Comparison of conventional ligatures and a vessel sealing device for haemostasis during open ovariohysterectomy in rabbits.

AIMS: To compare surgical times and rates of intra-operative and post-operative complications for open ovariohysterectomy (OVH) in female rabbits using conventional ligatures or a vessel sealing device (VSD) for haemostasis. METHODS: Female pet rabbits (n = 23) presented for OVH for either desexing or treatment of reproductive disorders were randomly assigned to a conventional ligatures (CL) group (n = 12) or a LigaSure 5-mm (LS5) group (n = 11). In the CL group, the ovarian pedicles were ligated with a single surgeon's knot. After transection of the ovarian pedicles, the broad ligament was manually broken down along the uterine horns to their respective cervices. In the LS5 group, both ovarian pedicles and the broad ligaments were sealed with a LigaSure Dolphin Tip VSD with 5-mm forceps. All the rabbits were hospitalised for 24 hours after surgery. Two weeks after discharge, a clinical recheck examination was performed. Incision length, overall surgical time (from initial incision to completion of intradermal suturing), OVH time (from identification of the first ovary to transection of the vaginal vault), and intra- and post-operative complications were recorded and compared between groups, using the Student's t-test for normally distributed continuous data, the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test for non-normally distributed continuous data and Pearson's χ2 test for categorical data. RESULTS: The mean overall surgical time was 14.1 (SD 4.4) minutes. The surgery took 15.0 (SD 4.9) minutes in the CL group and 13.1 (SD 3.8) minutes in the LS5 group (p=0.10). The OVH time was shorter in the LS5 group (mean 4.2 (SD 0.9) minutes) than in the CL group (mean 6.3 (SD 1.7) minutes; p = 0.005). No intra-operative complications were encountered in the LS5 group. Haemorrhage occurred in three rabbits in the CL group. One rabbit in the LS5 group developed steatonecrosis post-operatively. There was no evidence of a difference in the proportion of rabbits that experienced intra- and post-operative complications (p = 0.25 and p = 0.94 respectively) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a LigaSure 5-mm VSD and conventional ligatures during open OVH were both associated with similar overall surgical times and complication rates. The OVH times were shorter in the LS5 group compared to the CL group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of the LigaSure 5-mm VSD allows efficient haemostasis while performing open OVH in female pet rabbits.

Surgical findings and clinical outcome after bilateral repair of apparently unilateral perineal hernias in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To report the short- and long-term outcomes and recurrence rate in dogs treated for apparently unilateral perineal hernia with bilateral herniorrhaphy, castration, colopexy, vas deferens pexy with or without cystopexy in single-stage procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one client-owned dogs with apparently unilateral perineal hernia were included. Perineal hernias were repaired bilaterally, incorporating internal obturator muscle transposition and the sacro-tuberal ligament, combined with colopexy, vas deferens pexy with or without cystopexy. Preoperative pattern of defaecation, pattern of micturition and rectal alignment were recorded. Surgical time, bilateral surgical perineal findings, postoperative complications, short-, middle- and long-term (>24 months) scores and recurrence rate were documented. RESULTS: A hernia with ectopic tissue and weakness of the pelvic diaphragm was identified bilaterally in all dogs despite the unilateral clinical presentation. The procedure combination was achieved uneventfully in all dogs in 56 to 113 minutes (mean 73 minutes). Complication rate was low, consisting mostly of urinary disorders, most of which resolved within a few days. In all, 93% of dogs were free of clinical signs related to perineal hernia at long-term follow-up (mean 27 months). Recurrence rate was 0%. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our surgical findings suggest that perineal hernia in dogs might be considered a bilateral disease, even when the presentation is of apparently unilateral signs. Recurrence is rare following bilateral herniorrhaphy combined with colopexy and deferens pexy with or without cystopexy.

Stabilization of coxo-femoral luxation using tenodesis of the deep gluteal muscle. Technique description and reluxation rate in 65 dogs and cats (1995-2008).

This retrospective study documents deep gluteal tenodesis (DGT) used to stabilize coxo- femoral luxation (CFL) in dogs and cats, and to report reluxation rate and clinical outcome after DGT. Medical records (1995-2008) of 65 dogs and cats with traumatic CFL treated by capsulorrhaphy and DGT were reviewed. Animals with radiographic evidence of pre-existing hip dysplasia or articular fractures had been excluded. Reluxation rate and outcome were assessed by clinical examination, performed two and ten weeks postoperatively. Surgical treatment was performed between one and 20 days after the initiating event. No perioperative complications occurred. All hip joints were correctly reduced and stabilized immediately after DGT completion. Except for five patients, placement of the screw was considered correct. In two of these patients, the screws were too long and were protruding into the pelvic canal. In two dogs, the screws were not tightened adequately, and in one dog the screw was too short. Twenty-six dogs and eight cats were re-examined between eight and 13 weeks postoperatively. Re- luxation did not occur in any of them. Outcomes were good in two cases and excellent in 32 cases; all but two had a normal range-of-motion of the reconstructed hip, and were free of lameness and did not show any signs of pain. Traumatic CFL can be stabilized safely and effectively by DGT in dogs and cats. This technique should be considered among other capsular reinforcement techniques in the presence of an intact deep gluteal muscle.

Transpelvic urethrostomy in 11 cats using an ischial ostectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and long-term outcome of a modified subpubic urethrostomy technique termed transpelvic urethrostomy (TPU) in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Eleven male cats with obstructive lower urinary tract disease that could not be relieved, and requiring a surgical urinary diversion, were selected for TPU. METHODS: With the cat in dorsal recumbency, the penis was exposed and the ventral pelvis was denuded by median adductor muscle elevation. An approximately 12 mm x 15 mm area of ischium was removed. The pelvic urethra, 8-20 mm cranial to the bulbourethral glands, was incised longitudinally and sutured to the skin to create a urethrostomy. RESULTS: All cats were neutered males (2-9 years); none were uremic or hyperkalemic at admission. Urine was cultured if there was leukocyturia, nitrituria, and/or bacteriua. Bacteria were isolated from 2 specimens. A patent urethrostomy was created in all cats without operative complications. Except for 1 cat without associated clinical signs, stricture was not evident between 9 and 42 months after urethrostomy. One cat had postoperative urinary incontinence (UI) that resolved within 4 weeks. Two cats each had 1 episode of idiopathic lower urinary tract disease after 6-month follow-up; both responded to medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: TPU was used as a successful urinary diversion procedure relieving signs of urinary tract obstruction and preventing further obstruction, with few complications. The incidence of UI after TPU remains minimal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TPU should be considered as a salvage urinary diversion procedure in cats (as an alternative to prepubic and subpubic techniques). TPU may also be considered as a possible primary urinary diversion solution (an alternative to perineal urethrostomy) for obstructive lower urinary tract disease in cats.

An in vitro biomechanical study of bone plate and interlocking nail in a canine diaphyseal femoral fracture model.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the structural properties and the interfragmentary motion in ostectomized canine femurs stabilized with either an 8-mm interlocking nail system (IN) or a 10-hole dynamic compression broad plate (DCP). ANIMAL OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Ten pairs of adult canine femurs with a 25-mm mid-diaphyseal gap. METHODS: Bone specimens were divided into 2 groups (10 femurs each). Left femurs were stabilized with a DCP and 8 bicortical screws; right femurs were stabilized with an IN and 3 screws. Mechanical tests were performed in eccentric axial loading and in craniocaudal bending. The testing was first conducted nondestructively and then until breakage. Structural properties, ie, stiffness, yield limits, and failure limits, were determined. Interfragmentary motion was measured during nondestructive tests with the use of an optoelectronic device. Axial, transverse, and rotational motions were calculated. Mean values of stiffness, yield and failure limits, and axial and shear motions for each fixation method were compared using a paired t test within each group (P <.05). RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) values of stiffness and failure limit were significantly higher for IN constructs than for DCP constructs in compression, while there was little difference in the results between each tested group in bending. Mean yield load values were significantly higher for IN than for DCP specimens in compression as well as in bending. The axial-motion analysis revealed significant differences between IN and DCP groups during bending tests only. The highest score of transverse motion at the gap was recorded during bending tests, and was higher for DCP than for IN specimens. There were insignificant differences between the two groups with regard to rotation around the diaphyseal axis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Structural properties and interfragmentary shear motion analysis demonstrated a much higher rigidity in the IN-bone than in the DCP-bone constructs.