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In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Effect of epitendinous suture caliber on the tensile strength of repaired canine flexor tendons.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of epitendinous suture (ES) caliber on the tensile strength of flexor tendon repairs in cadaveric specimens from dogs. SAMPLE: 60 cadaveric superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) from 30 skeletally mature dogs. PROCEDURES: Specimens were randomly assigned to 5 suture caliber groups (n = 12 SDFTs/group). After sharp transection, SDFTs were repaired by placement of a simple continuous circumferential ES created with size-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, or 5-0 polypropylene suture. Constructs were preloaded to 2 N and load tested to failure. Loads at yield, peak, and failure and mode of failure were compared among groups by statistical methods. RESULTS: Yield, peak, and failure loads for SDFT repair constructs were positively correlated with ES caliber and did not differ between the size-0 and 2-0 groups on pairwise comparisons. Yield load was significantly greater for size-0, 2-0, and 3-0 groups than for the 4-0 and 5-0 groups. Peak and failure loads were significantly greater for the size-0 and 2-0 groups than for the remaining groups. Most size-0 (12/12), 2-0 (12/12), and 3-0 (10/12) group constructs failed because of ES pull-through; several constructs in the 4-0 group (5/12) and most in the 5-0 group (11/12) failed because of ES breakage. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested size-0 and 2-0 sutures should be considered when placing an ES for flexor tendon repairs in dogs. However, in vivo studies are needed determine the effects of increasing ES caliber on clinical outcomes for dogs undergoing these procedures.

Staged mandibular lip flap for closure of a large palatal defect after maxillectomy in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To report closure of an oronasal defect secondary to maxillectomy with a staged mandibular lip flap. STUDY DESIGN: Case report ANIMALS: One 9-year-old female spayed golden retriever. METHODS: A combined dorsolateral and intraoral approach was used to perform a central maxillectomy to excise a 2.4- × 2- × 2.7-cm oral osteosarcoma with 1-cm margins. A buccal mucosal flap was used to close the palatal defect but the site subsequently dehisced. A staged mandibular lip flap was performed to close the defect. An incision was made on the mandible at the intersection of the buccal mucosa and gingiva from the mandibular canine to the level of the commissure. A second incision was made 3 cm ventral to the lip margin. The flap pedicle was based at the commissure. The flap was rotated to cover the palatal defect from rostral to the canine tooth to the fourth premolar. A second procedure was performed 4 weeks after flap placement to desquamate the haired skin and transect the flap pedicle. RESULTS: Partial dehiscence at the caudal aspect of the flap occurred after the first revision. The defect was closed after pedicle transection on day 41, with acceptable cosmesis. The dog was eating canned food with no evidence of discomfort 159 days after the maxillectomy. Recurrence was noted on day 270 postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Closure of a large palatal defect with a staged mandibular lip flap led to good cosmesis and function.

Adherence to follow-up recommendations for dogs with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma: A multicentre retrospective study.

Progressive disease is common following anal sacculectomy for apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA); additional therapy may prolong survival. Adherence to medical recommendations influences therapeutic success in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence to follow-up recommendations in dogs with AGASACA. Medical records of patients that underwent anal sacculectomy for AGASACA, with or without iliosacral lymphadenectomy, between July 2015 and July 2018, were reviewed at eight referral institutions to assess post-operative recommendations and owner adherence to recommendations. One hundred and seventy-four dogs were included, of which 162 underwent unilateral anal sacculectomy, 12 underwent bilateral anal sacculectomy and 39 underwent concurrent iliosacral lymphadenectomy. Seventy-six owners (44%) received recommendations for staging at the time of discharge, histopathology results or at the first follow-up visit. One hundred and forty owners (80%) received recommendations for treatment following the initial surgery. Fifty of seventy-six (66%) owners pursued at least one staging recommendation and 69 of 140 (49%) owners pursued some kind of adjuvant treatment recommendation. Overall, 16 of 76 (21%) were adherent to staging recommendations with 20 adherent for the first year following surgery (26%). Forty-seven of 140 (34%) were adherent to treatment recommendations with 54 (39%) adherent for the first year. Owners that were adherent to restaging recommendations at 1 year following surgery were significantly more likely to pursue treatment for progressive disease (P = .014). Further work is required to assess owner motivation and evaluate strategies to improve adherence, given the potential impact on patient treatment.