Preliminary evaluation of a hydrogel liquid bandage in 30 dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy surgery.

AIMS: To compare the prevalence of minor incisional complications in canine patients undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery that had a hydrogel liquid bandage (HLB) applied to their incision, with patients that had a light adhesive bandage applied. METHODS: Thirty dogs undergoing TPLO surgery were randomly assigned to either application of a light adhesive bandage to the incision, with removal 18-24 hours later, or application of a clear-drying polyethylene glycol HLB to the incision. Erythema, swelling, discharge, and dehiscence were assessed 1 day (Day 1) and 10-14 days (Days 10-14) postoperatively. All persons completing the assessment were blinded to the treatment. Outcomes were compared for the two groups using Fisher's Exact Test. RESULTS: On both Day 1 and Days 10-14, the distribution of dogs with erthemyma or swelling did not differ between the two groups (p≥0.4). The prevalence of erythema was the same in the bandage and HLB groups at Day 1 (11/15; 73%) and was similar at Days 10-14 (3/11 (27%) and 2/11 (18%), respectively). Prevalence of swelling was also the same in the two groups on Day 1 (11/15; 73%) and was similar at Days 10-14 (3/11 (27%) and 6/11 (55%), respectively). On Day 1, 2/15 (13%) dogs in the HLB group and none of the dogs in the bandage group had incisional discharge (p=0.483). No dogs were observed with discharge on Days 10-14. No dehiscence, infection, or any other major incisional complication was observed in either group at any point in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that prevalence of minor incisional complications after TPLO surgery treated with HLB or with a traditional adhesive bandage may be comparable. No major adverse effects were seen with the use of HLB. CLINICIAL RELEVANCE: Due to several disadvantages of traditional bandaging, which can require post-operative maintenance and removal, lasts only a short time, and be painful when removed, an alternative with fewer drawbacks is desirable. HLB may present such an alternative.

Accuracy of computerized tomographic evaluation of canine radio-ulnar incongruence in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of linear measurements obtained from computer tomography (CT) images of staged radio-ulnar incongruence in a canine cadaver forelimb model. STUDY DESIGN: CT evaluation of induced progressive radio-ulnar incongruence in canine cadaveric forelimbs. SAMPLE POPULATION: Eight cadaveric canine left forelimbs. PROCEDURE: A type 2 external skeletal fixator (ESF) with linear motors was attached to the radius in 8 cadaveric left canine forelimbs. Contiguous incremental and helical CT images of the proximal radio-ulnar articulation were acquired in the transverse, sagittal and dorsal planes. The radius was shortened by 1, 2, and 4 mm increments and scanning protocols were repeated at each increment. Digital caliper and CT image analysis measured the progressive change in distance between 2 marking spheres and the epiphyseal bone surfaces of the radio-ulnar articulation. Statistical analysis of measurements from incremental and helical CT acquisitions, and direct and reformatted images were compared with inter-sphere distance using Pearson product moment correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The reformatted incremental acquisition series at the mid-coronoid in the oblique plane had the highest correlation coefficient (r-value) at 0.908. The mid-coronoid in the dorsal plane had the second highest r-value (0.856). The coronoid incisure in the sagittal plane had an r-value of 0.826. The reformatted incremental acquisition series at the coronoid incisure in the oblique plane had the lowest r-value, 0.592. CONCLUSION: Measurement of radioulnar incongruence may be best performed using reformatted incremental acquisition CT in the mid-coronoid region in an oblique plane. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of the technique reported in this study may enable determination of the association, if any, between radioulnar incongruence and developmental diseases of the canine elbow.

[To what extent do indications for or questioning of the 24-hour ECG in ambulatory practice correlate with established ECG findings?]. / Wie weit stimmen die Indikationen bzw. Fragestellungen in der ambulanten Praxis für das 24-Stunden-Ekg. mit den festgestellten Ekg.-Befunden überein?

In 1312 patients the Holter 24-h ECG method served to detect 3190 abnormalities of the cardiac rhythm (mean 2.43 different types of arrhythmia per patient), and were classified into 14 arrhythmia groups. The main groups of indications for Holter ECG were classified as follows: palpitation; syncopes, dizziness; life-threatening arrhythmias. The positivity of the test correlated extremely well with the severity of the clinical symptoms: if syncope or dizziness were the indications for Holter ECG, abnormalities were found in 57%; if life-threatening arrhythmias were suspected, abnormalities were found in 54.7% of the patients.

[Triggering of immunologic reactions by Strehler's pressure wave therapy in patients with chronic venous insufficiency]. / Zur Frage der Auslösung immunologischer Reaktionen durch Druckwellentherapie nach Strehler bei Patienten mit chronisch venöser Insuffizienz.

Thirteen patients with chronic venous insufficiency of the legs, mostly with ulcerations, were treated during four weeks by pressure wave therapy following the method of Strehler. Some parameters of circulation, blood, and immunology were controlled at the beginning, at the third, tenth, twentieth and fourtieth day. There was a tendency to normalization of hypo- and hypertension, of the blood calcium and kalium, and especially, there was a significant increase of IgG and C'4 during the treatment with decrease of the IgM. Other parameters did not show specific alterations. The mobilisation of edema by pressure wave therapy seems to arise an immunologic reaction, probably by activating antigens or antigen-antibody complexes.