The effect of flushing of the common bile duct on hepatobiliary markers and short-term outcomes in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for the management of gall bladder mucocele: A randomized controlled prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of flushing of the common bile duct (CBD) on hepatobiliary markers and short-term outcome in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for the management of gallbladder mucocele (GBM). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, prospective study. ANIMALS: Thirty-two client-owned dogs. METHODS: Dogs were allocated randomly to either a "flush" group or a "non-flush group." Flushing was performed in a normograde fashion, followed by a routine cholecystectomy. Data collected included presenting clinical signs, preoperative and 3-day postoperative hepatobiliary markers (alkaline phosphatase, ALP; alanine aminotransferase, ALT; gamma glumatyl-transferase, GGT; bilirubin; cholesterol; triglycerides), duration of hospitalization, and complications. These data were compared between groups. RESULTS: Sixteen dogs were enrolled in each group. One dog (in the flush group) was excluded following diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma. Border terriers were overrepresented (20/31). Overall, there were marked reductions from preoperative to 3 days postoperative in serum bilirubin (p = .004), ALP (p = .020), ALT (p < .001), GGT (p = .025), and cholesterol (p < .001) values. There was no difference in any marker between groups. Survival to discharge was 90.3% (28/31 dogs). CONCLUSION: Cholestatic markers decreased significantly 3 days postcholecystectomy. No short-term clinical or clinico-pathological benefits were identified when flushing the CBD in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for GBM. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The findings of the study do not support routine flushing of the CBD during cholecystectomy for GBM in dogs.

A survey of current practices and influences on the choice of suture material, pattern and size used in commonly performed procedures in UK small animal veterinary practice.

OBJECTIVES: A survey of UK veterinarians was conducted to determine factors influencing suture choice and current suture practice for common surgical procedures. METHODS: An online survey was designed and the survey was sent to central practice emails obtained from the 2011 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) practice database. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-nine surveys were completed (203 with no additional postgraduate qualifications (NAQ), 16 with RCVS certificates and 19 with diplomas). Forty-seven per cent of veterinary surgeons reported they would benefit from Continued Professional Development (CPD) pertaining to suture material selection and techniques. The NAQ group ranked practice policy, colleague influence, cost of suture material and undergraduate teaching significantly greater than diploma and certificate holders. The widest differences between suture material selection, pattern and size were identified when comparing diploma holders and the NAQ group. Diploma holders tended to choose smaller sized suture material when compared with the NAQ group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, postgraduate qualifications have a significant effect on the choice, pattern and size of suture material used for many routine surgical procedures. Findings suggest that further postgraduate training pertaining to the selection and use of suture material is worthwhile and improved guidance of choice of suture material for commonly performed surgical procedures may be beneficial.

Outcome of full-thickness skin grafts used to close skin defects involving the distal aspects of the limbs in cats and dogs: 52 cases (2005-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of full-thickness skin grafts used to close skin defects involving the distal aspects of the limbs in cats and dogs and identify factors associated with outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 20 cats and 32 dogs with a skin defect involving the distal aspect of a limb that received 58 full-thickness skin grafts between 2005 and 2012. PROCEDURES: Data regarding patient signalment, location and cause of the skin defect, surgical and anesthetic duration, and postoperative bandaging protocol were obtained from the medical records. Graft outcome was assessed by interpreting descriptions in the records; skin viability over ≥ 75% of the graft area between 7 and 14 days after surgery was considered a successful outcome. RESULTS: For 4 of the 58 grafts, graft outcome could not be determined from the medical record. For the remaining grafts, success rate was significantly higher for grafts placed in cats (17/22 [77%]) than in dogs (12/32 [38%]). The overall complication rate was 50%; complications included skin graft failure, donor site dehiscence, and bandage-induced sloughing of skin adjacent to the graft recipient site. In addition to species, anatomic location of the skin defect was identified as a prognostic indicator of graft outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Full-thickness skin grafting had a higher success rate in cats than in dogs. Skin grafts applied to the antebrachium, compared with other locations on the distal aspects of the limbs, were associated with a poorer prognosis.

Biomechanical comparison of canine fascia lata and thoracolumbar fascia: an in vitro evaluation of replacement tissues for body wall reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the suitability of thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and fascia lata (FL) for body wall defect repair in dogs, by examining their biomechanical properties and useable surface area. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 8). METHODS: Fresh TLF and FL grafts were obtained, surface area was calculated before testing to failure in 2 different modes: tensile testing and resistance to suture pullout, in 2 perpendicular orientations. RESULTS: Useable TLF surface area was significantly greater than for FL. Maximum load, energy to break, and elastic modulus of FL was significantly greater than that of TLF in tensile testing, but no apparent difference in the ultimate stress or strain was identified. There was no overall difference in suture pullout load between TLF and FL. During tensile testing, tissue orientation had a significant influence on ultimate load, stress, and elastic modulus for both tissue types, with strain and energy to break only having significant effects for TLF and FL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The greater tensile strength and stiffness of FL compared to TLF was not reflected in its material properties, implying any difference was a consequence of greater thickness. Suture pullout was not significantly different between the 2 tissues, perhaps limiting the clinical significance of the tissue mechanics. Tissues were anisotropic with respect to mechanical properties, thus orientation may be an important factor.