Major complications associated with fork-based and screw-based tibial tuberosity advancement implants: 438 cases.

This study reports major complications in a large cohort of dogs following tibial tuberosity advancement using either a fork-based or a screw-based implant system. Four hundred thirty-eight stifles were included in the study and major complications occurred in 51 stifles. Explanatory variables evaluated included implant type and body weight. No variables evaluated were associated with major complications.

Complications majeures associées à des implants à base de fourche et de vis lors de chirurgie d'avancement de la tubérosité tibiale antérieure : 438 cas. Cette étude présente un rapport sur les complications majeures dans une grande cohorte de chiens après une chirurgie d'avancement de la tubérosité tibiale à l'aide d'un système d'implant à base de fourche ou de vis. Quatre cent trente-huit grassets ont été inclus dans l'étude et des complications majeures se sont produites dans 51 grassets. Les variables explicatives comprenaient le type d'implant et le poids corporel. Aucune variable évaluée n'a été associée à des complications majeures.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Primary tracheal collapse in a cat.

A 7-year-old, neutered male, domestic shorthair cat was presented for severe inspiratory dyspnea of 2 to 3 days' duration. Radiography and tracheobronchoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of primary extrathoracic tracheal collapse. The cat was treated with oxygen, dexamethasone, and terbutaline, but no improvement was seen. Surgical correction was performed using nine prosthetic tracheal ring implants. Clinical signs improved after surgery, and the cat continued to do well 11 months after surgery, despite development of unilateral laryngeal paralysis.

Comparison of postoperative pain after ovariohysterectomy by harmonic scalpel-assisted laparoscopy compared with median celiotomy and ligation in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of postoperative pain after ovariohysterectomy by harmonic scalpel-assisted laparoscopy (HALO) and traditional ovariohysterectomy (OVH) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, blinded, prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Sixteen, purpose-bred, intact female, Beagle dogs. METHODS: Dogs were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (8 dogs), which had OVH by HALO, and Group 2 (8 dogs), which had traditional OVH. Physiologic data, abdominal nociceptive threshold scores, and University of Melbourne pain scores (UMPS) were recorded at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. Blood samples for measurement of plasma cortisol, glucose, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) concentrations were collected at the time of the incision, and 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. RESULTS: No significant surgical complications occurred. The HALO mean surgical time was significantly longer (55.7 minutes) than traditional OVH (31.7 minutes). No significant differences were observed between groups for the pain measures of heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, CPK, and glucose concentrations. The OVH group had significantly higher mean plasma cortisol levels at hour 2 after surgery than the HALO group (P=.0001). The mean UMPS were significantly higher in OVH than the HALO group at all postoperative times (P=.0001). The mean nociceptive threshold measurements revealed significantly higher tolerated palpation pressures in HALO than OVH at all postoperative times, except hour 72 (P=.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Dogs appeared to be in less pain with HALO than OVH. The harmonic scalpel coagulated ovarian and uterine vessels completely with minimal collateral damage to surrounding tissues. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: HALO is a safe alternative to OVH and offers a minimally invasive and less painful method of surgery.

Distraction osteogenesis for treatment of premature physeal closure and shortening of the third and fourth metatarsals of a dog.

A 4-month-old Siberian husky was presented for a history of lameness of the left hind limb. Physical and radiographic examination revealed a 1-cm shortening of metatarsals III and IV, with subsequent hyperextension of the digits on the left hind paw. A circular external skeletal fixator was used to accomplish distraction osteogenesis in both metatarsals over a period of 15 days. Treatment was successful in restoring appropriate length of the metatarsals and in resolution of the lameness. At 6 and 12 months after surgery, the owner reported that the dog was ambulating normally and had no complications related to the surgery.