Locking compression plate fixation of critical-sized bone defects in sheep. Development of a model for veterinary bone tissue engineering.

PURPOSE: To develop a segmental tibial bone defect model for tissue engineering studies in veterinary orthopedics using single locking compression plate (LCP) fixation and cast immobilization. METHODS: A 3-cm bone defect was created in the right tibia of 18 adult Suffolk sheep. A 10-hole, 4.5-mm LCP was applied to the dorsomedial aspect of the bone. Four locking screws were inserted into the proximal and three into the distal bone fragment. Operated limbs were immobilized with casts. Animals were submitted to stall rest, but were allowed to bear weight on the operated limb. During the recovery period, animals were checked daily for physiological parameters, behavior and lameness. Follow-up radiographs were taken monthly. RESULTS: Surgical procedures and postoperative recovery were uneventful. Animals adapted quickly to casts and were able to bear weight on the operated limb with no signs of discomfort or distress. No clinical or radiographic complications were detected over a 90-day follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical creation of tibial segmental bone defects followed by fixation with single LCP and cast immobilization was deemed a feasible and appropriate model for veterinary orthopedic research in tissue engineering.

Sonographic evaluation of the lumbosacral region for neuroaxial anaesthesia in domestic felines / Avaliação ultrassonográfica da região lombossacra para anestesia neuroaxial em felinos domésticos

The objective of this study was to describe the lumbosacral region of domestic felines using ultrasonography. The limits and dimensions of the epidural and subarachnoid spaces were identified and their correlation with sex and body score condition (BSC) were evaluated. Fourteen mongrel cat cadavers, nine males and five females, weighing between 2.0 and 4.5 kg and with BCS ranging from 2 to 5 (1–5) were used. The cadavers were put in sternal recumbency and ultrasonographic images of the lumbosacral region were obtained in the sagittal and transverse planes. There was no statistical difference in the measurements between males and females. The BCS was positively correlated with the distance between the skin and dorsal epidural space, the distance between the skin and dural sac, and the distance between the skin and the ventral floor. No correlations were identified between the BCS and the distance between epidural space and dural sac, BCS and the sagittal dural sac height, or BCS and transverse dural sac height. The study showed that animals with a higher body condition score present larger distances between structures, regardless of their sex. In addition, the sonographic study verified the close proximity of the epidural and subarachnoid spaces, highlighting the risk of inadvertent spinal puncture in felines.

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a região lombossacra de felinos domésticos por meio da ultrassonografia, identificando os limites e dimensionando os espaços peridural e subaracnoide, relacionando essas medidas com o sexo e o escore corporal dos animais. Foram utilizados 14 cadáveres de gatos, sem raça definida, nove machos e cinco fêmeas, pesando entre 2,0 e 4,5 kg e com escore corporal variando de 2 a 5 (1-5). Para a avaliação da região lombossacra, os animais foram posicionados em decúbito esternal e imagens ultrassonográficas desta região foram adquiridas nos planos sagital e transversal. Não houve diferença estatística entre machos e fêmeas com relação às medidas. Houve correlação positiva entre o escore corporal e a distância entre a pele e o espaço peridural dorsal; escore corporal e a distância entre a pele e o saco dural; e escore corporal e a distância entre a pele e o assoalho ventral. Não foram identificadas correlações entre o escore corporal e a distância entre o espaço peridural e saco dural; escore corporal e altura do saco dural sagital; e escore corporal e altura saco dural transversal. Conclui-se que animais com maior escore corporal apresentam distâncias maiores, e não há diferença nas mensurações com relação ao sexo. Além disso, o estudo ultrassonográfico constatou a proximidade do espaço peridural e raquidiano, implicando no risco de punção inadvertida em felinos.

Sonographic evaluation of the lumbosacral region for neuroaxial anaesthesia in domestic felines / Avaliação ultrassonográfica da região lombossacra para anestesia neuroaxial em felinos domésticos

The objective of this study was to describe the lumbosacral region of domestic felines using ultrasonography. The limits and dimensions of the epidural and subarachnoid spaces were identified and their correlation with sex and body score condition (BSC) were evaluated. Fourteen mongrel cat cadavers, nine males and five females, weighing between 2.0 and 4.5 kg and with BCS ranging from 2 to 5 (1–5) were used. The cadavers were put in sternal recumbency and ultrasonographic images of the lumbosacral region were obtained in the sagittal and transverse planes. There was no statistical difference in the measurements between males and females. The BCS was positively correlated with the distance between the skin and dorsal epidural space, the distance between the skin and dural sac, and the distance between the skin and the ventral floor. No correlations were identified between the BCS and the distance between epidural space and dural sac, BCS and the sagittal dural sac height, or BCS and transverse dural sac height. The study showed that animals with a higher body condition score present larger distances between structures, regardless of their sex. In addition, the sonographic study verified the close proximity of the epidural and subarachnoid spaces, highlighting the risk of inadvertent spinal puncture in felines.(AU)

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a região lombossacra de felinos domésticos por meio da ultrassonografia, identificando os limites e dimensionando os espaços peridural e subaracnoide, relacionando essas medidas com o sexo e o escore corporal dos animais. Foram utilizados 14 cadáveres de gatos, sem raça definida, nove machos e cinco fêmeas, pesando entre 2,0 e 4,5 kg e com escore corporal variando de 2 a 5 (1-5). Para a avaliação da região lombossacra, os animais foram posicionados em decúbito esternal e imagens ultrassonográficas desta região foram adquiridas nos planos sagital e transversal. Não houve diferença estatística entre machos e fêmeas com relação às medidas. Houve correlação positiva entre o escore corporal e a distância entre a pele e o espaço peridural dorsal; escore corporal e a distância entre a pele e o saco dural; e escore corporal e a distância entre a pele e o assoalho ventral. Não foram identificadas correlações entre o escore corporal e a distância entre o espaço peridural e saco dural; escore corporal e altura do saco dural sagital; e escore corporal e altura saco dural transversal. Conclui-se que animais com maior escore corporal apresentam distâncias maiores, e não há diferença nas mensurações com relação ao sexo. Além disso, o estudo ultrassonográfico constatou a proximidade do espaço peridural e raquidiano, implicando no risco de punção inadvertida em felinos.(AU)