Use of a vessel-sealing device versus conventional hemostatic techniques in dogs undergoing thyroidectomy because of suspected thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare use of a vessel-sealing device (VSD) versus conventional hemostatic techniques in dogs undergoing thyroidectomy because of suspected thyroid carcinoma. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 42 client-owned dogs undergoing thyroidectomy because of suspected thyroid carcinoma. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs treated at 4 referral centers from 2010 through 2016 were reviewed, and information was obtained on patient signalment, surgical technique, tumor-specific factors, and operative duration. Postoperative hospitalization time and complications were compared between dogs grouped on the basis of hemostatic technique. RESULTS: Thyroidectomy was performed with a VSD in 23 dogs and with conventional hemostatic techniques (ie, ligatures, hemoclips, or electrocautery) in 19 dogs. Hemostatic technique (ie, use of a VSD vs conventional hemostatic techniques) was the only factor significantly associated with operative duration (median time, 28 vs 41 minutes). Postoperative hospitalization times and complication rates did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that use of a VSD, rather than conventional hemostatic techniques, in dogs undergoing thyroidectomy because of suspected thyroid carcinoma resulted in shorter operative times without significantly affecting complication rates or postoperative hospitalization times.

Comparison of multistage versus one-stage destabilization of a type II external fixator used to stabilize an oblique tibial osteotomy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the biomechanical effects of multistage versus one-stage destabilization of a type II external skeletal fixator (ESF) used to stabilize an oblique unstable tibial osteotomy in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experimental study. ANIMAL POPULATION: Twelve healthy adult dogs. METHODS: The biomechanical characteristics of the type II ESF used in this study were determined. This fixator was applied to both tibiae of two groups of 6 dogs to stabilize a 2-mm-wide oblique osteotomy. One fixator on each dog remained unchanged throughout the 11-week study (control group). The fixator on the opposite limb was destabilized late and acutely in one group of dogs (single-stage) and early and progressively in the other (multistage). Clinical examination, radiographic examination, and force-plate analysis were used to evaluate the results. All dogs were euthanatized at 11 weeks. All tibiae were scanned to determine the cross-sectional area of the callus in the center of the osteotomy and subjected to biomechanical tests to determine mean pull-out strength of pins and callus strength and stiffness. RESULTS: Stiffness of the type II ESF used in this study was 578 N/mm in axial compression, 0.767 Nm/deg in torsion, 261 N/mm in medio-lateral bending, and 25 N/mm in cranio-caudal bending. Peak vertical forces of the hindlimbs were significantly lower at 2.5 and 5 weeks than before surgery. Peak vertical forces of the hindlimbs did not change before and after destabilization. No significant differences could be detected between the two destabilization sequences or between all control tibiae and pooled destabilized tibiae with regards to radiographic evaluation of the healing osteotomy, cross-sectional periosteal callus area, mean pull-out strength of transfixation pins, callus strength, and callus stiffness. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bone healing of unstable osteotomies stabilized with a type II ESF is not significantly enhanced by staged destabilization of the fixation as performed in this study.