Temporomandibular joint ankylosis and salivary mucocele in a cat: case report

An approximately 1.5-year-old, not neutered mixed breed cat was referred for evaluation of inability to open its mouth, and soft tissue swelling around the intermandibular region. Both signs were present since the cat was adopted, 1 year before presentation. The cause of the signs was not determined prior to referral. Based on the physical and radiographic examinations, left temporomandibular joint ankylosis and salivary mucocele were diagnosed. The lateral aspect of the condyloid process of the left mandible was removed and the salivary mucocele was treated by right mandibular and sublingual gland resection and drainage of the mucocele. After surgery, the cat showed good functional use of the mandible without discomfort.

Relata-se o caso de um gato de aproximadamente um ano e meio de idade, macho, não castrado, que foi encaminhado por apresentar incapacidade de abrir a boca e aumento de volume flutuante na região intermandibular. As lesões estavam presentes há um ano, desde quando o gato foi encontrado e adotado. A causa não foi determinada. Baseado nos exames físicos e radiográficos diagnosticou-se anquilose da articulação temporomandibular esquerda e mucocele salivar. O aspecto lateral do processo condilar da mandíbula esquerda foi removido, e a mucocele foi tratada por ressecção das glândulas salivares mandibular e sublingual direita e por drenagem da mucocele. Após a cirurgia, o gato mostrou bom uso funcional da mandíbula, sem sinais de desconforto.

Effect of fibrin glue derived from snake venom on the viability of autogenous split-thickness skin graft

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of snake venom derived from fibrin glue on the viability of split-thickness skin graft. Nine crossbreed dogs were used. Full-thickness skin segments measuring 4X4 cm were bilaterally excised from the proximal radial area on each dog. A split-thickness skin graft was harvested from left lateral thoracic area using a freehand graft knife, and was secured to the left recipient bed using several simple interrupted sutures of 3-o nylon (sutured graft). A split-thickness skin graft was harvested from the right lateral thoracic area using a graft knife. Fibrin glue derived from snake venom was applied to the recipient bed, and 8 equidistant simple interrupted sutures of 3-0 nylon were used to secure the skin graft (glued graft). Viable and nonviable areas were traced on a transparent sheet and measured using a Nikon Photomicroscope connected to a KS-300 image analysis system. The skin graft and recipient bed were collected from three dogs at day 7,15, and 30 postoperative. The glued grafs had statistically higher graft viability than sutured grafts. Histological examination showed that the tissue repair process in the glued grafts was more accentuated than sutured grafts. It was possible to conclude that fibrin glue derived from snake venom increased survival of autogenous split-thickness skin graft.