Tracheal growth assessment in mongrel puppies (dogs) through multidetector CT.

The aim of this study was to describe the tracheal growth pattern and its zoometric relationship in related medium-sized mongrel puppies through adulthood. Fourteen puppies were studied. CT monitoring was performed monthly, starting in the 1st month of life through the 7th month and subsequently at the 9th and 12th months. Additionally, six zoometric measurements were performed. Dorsoventral (DV) and transverse (TV) diameters and the luminal area from C1 to T2 were obtained. The global tracheal growth pattern revealed an increase up to 13 times its initial size, reaching a plateau phase during the last trimester. The relationship between the DV and the TV internal diameters of the tracheal lumen did not change during growth. As previously reported, the cranial tracheal area was wider, while the caudal part gradually decreased towards T1-T2; this consideration is important since the more distal an endotracheal tube is inserted, the greater the risk that injury may occur. The linear correlation between the zoometric measurements and the tracheal ring areas was positive. This study provides evidence for the evaluation of the morphometry of the canine trachea during physiological growth using helicoidal CT as a non-invasive, accurate tool.

[Experimental bacterial contamination of bile and liver in mongrel dogs: an alternative treatment with cephalone, a hybrid of cephalosporine fluoroquinolone]. / Contaminación bacteriana experimental de bilis e hígado en perros criollos. Tratamiento alternativo con (cefalona), un híbrido de cefalosporina y fluoroquinolona.

OBJECTIVES: A longitudinal, randomized, single blind study was done to evaluate the efficacy of an antibacterial hybrid molecule (beta-lactamic-fluoroquinolone) named cephalone after biliary-enteric-bypass (BEB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four groups of mongrel dogs were operated on three consecutive periods. Cultures of bile and liver were obtained and assessed, followed by obliteration of common bile duct and BEB to groups A, B and C. Group D served as a control. Ten days later the group A received conventional treatment based on ampicillin/gentamicin and groups B and C, cephalone in two different concentration schemes during 10 consecutive days. Further samples were processed for bacteria and additional liver biopsies were obtained for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: All three treatments reverted bacterial contamination in the liver and most of the bile samples were negative or showed a significant decrease in the number of colony forming units (p = 0.002). Histopathological analysis proved no lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of efficacy among antibacterial treatments revealed undistinguishable efficacy in this short-term assessment of bacterial contamination after BEB in dogs. The use of cephalone could be considered as a viable treatment or prophylaxis in bacterial infections occurring after BEB. Further studies are needed to assess long-term impact of the cephalone in this setting.

Esophageal anastomotic failure: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical complications in patients with esophageal atresia have remained unchanged during the last three decades. This study was aimed at investigating certain risk factors for small-sized esophageal anastomosis and to assess the probable relationship between esophageal length and body weight in rabbit. METHODS: Six groups of 10 adult rabbits were subjected to section or 1-cm segmental resection of thoracic esophagus followed by end-to-end anastomosis. Approximation strength of esophageal ends was measured. Three different suture materials were used, and three different surgeons carried out procedures. Observed morbidity was recorded, as well as leakage or stenosis frequency in suture line. Esophageal length and body weight of nonresected rabbits were measured. RESULTS: Fifteen leakages were observed in suture line; there were no differences in relative risk between groups with and without resection, or in ratio of this complication among surgeons; nonetheless, a greater number of leakages (p < 0.05) was observed at higher tension. There were no differences in magnitude of stenosis among surgeons, tension degree, or suture material used. Quadratic association was found between length of thoracic esophagus and body weight in nonresected rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: Rabbit esophagus is a suitable model to assess early surgical complications but not for late complications. Among three assessed factors, increased tension in patients with segmental deficit was the most significant factor in development of anastomotic leakage. Existence of nonlineal correlation between esophageal length and body weight in rabbit showed that resection of 1 cm of esophagus represented a different weight-dependent segmental deficit, which increased as weight decreased.

Atresia esofágica: una propuesta de toma de decisiones / Esophageal atresia: marking decisions

La atresia de esófago es una malformación grave que requiere de una estrategia bien definida de manejo médico-quirúrgico; el diagnóstico temprano e integral representa el mejor medio para ubicar la ruta más apropiada de tratamiento y determinar el pronóstico del paciente. En México existe poca información escrita al respecto y la sobrevida difiere significativamente de lo descrito en países desarrollados. En esta revisión se señalan algunos de los aspectos mas sobresalientes de esta enfermedad y se presenta un esquema de toma de decisiones que permite agilizar el diagnóstico y tratamiento subsecuente