Inverted V-shaped extracapsular stabilisation technique and arthroscopic findings in six dogs with medial shoulder instability.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this case series was to report arthroscopic findings and to evaluate clinical outcomes of dogs treated with an inverted V-shaped extracapsular stabilisation technique without additional external coaptation for medial shoulder instability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of dogs with medial shoulder instability that underwent arthroscopy and an inverted V-shaped extracapsular stabilisation technique were retrospectively reviewed. Extracapsular stabilisation was performed in all dogs using screws and spiked washers as anchor points for the coated polyester prosthetic ligament. No additional external coaptation was used in any dog. A minimum 18-month follow-up period was required for study inclusion. Complications and long-term outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: The subscapularis tendon and medial glenohumeral ligament were the structures most commonly affected. All dogs had pathological cartilage fibrillations. Implants were successfully placed in all dogs. Implant loosening was recorded in two out of six dogs on recheck but no revision surgery was performed. Function at the time of last clinical follow-up (median, 28 months, range 18 to 33 months) was full in four out of six and acceptable in two out of six dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surgical treatment of medial shoulder instability using the novel inverted V-shaped extracapsular stabilisation technique was successful. Potential complications such as implant loosening may occur. Despite the limited number of cases, the present study suggests that additional postoperative external coaptation may not be necessary for successful management of dogs with medial shoulder instability.

An axial pattern flap based on the dorsal perineal artery in a cat.

CASE REPORT: A 3-year-old male neutered Domestic Shorthair cat was evaluated for a skin mass of approximately 2 × 3 cm arising from the right dorsolateral aspect of the tail at the junction between the proximal and middle one-thirds of the tail length. Incisional biopsy sample was consistent with granulomatous inflammation. The granuloma was surgically excised with 5 mm margins of normal skin. The resulting defect was closed using an axial pattern flap based on a cutaneous branch of the dorsal perineal artery and augmented by a local subdermal plexus transposition flap. There was 100% survival of the flaps at postoperative days 7, 15 and 21. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: We describe an axial pattern flap based on a cutaneous branch of the dorsal perineal artery in a cat. This flap offers surgeons a viable option for closing skin defects situated on the proximal one-third of the tail and a practical alternative to tail amputation.

Instrument breakage as a complication of elbow arthroscopy in a dog.

CASE REPORT: We describe an unusual complication of a routine arthroscopic procedure to treat fragmentation of the medial portion of the coronoid process in a 1-year-old Labrador Retriever. While the lesion was being curetted, the tip of the arthroscopic curette broke off. Attempts were made to remove it, but failed, and the broken fragment migrated out of the arthroscopic field. Conversion from arthroscopy to arthrotomy was unsuccessful. On intraoperative radiographs, the metallic fragment was detected in the radial fossa of the humeral condyle. A limited surgical approach to this area, guided by ultrasound, also proved ineffective. Finally, the broken curette tip was left in situ. The dog made an uneventful recovery and 6 months after surgery it showed no lameness except after rest and there was no evidence of migration of the metallic fragment on radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: On such occasions, we recommend: (1) stop both the inflow and outflow of fluids; (2) attempt arthroscopic retrieval with a magnetic retriever and large forceps; (3) use diagnostic imaging to localise the broken fragment if it migrates out of the arthroscopic field; and (4) leave in situ if it is no longer accessible to arthroscopic extraction. This is the first report of an instrument breakage during arthroscopy in a dog.

Structural characteristics of the soft palate and meatus nasopharyngeus in brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dogs analysed by CT.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to compare the dimensions of the soft palate and cross-sectional area of the meatus nasopharyngeus in non-brachycephalic dogs and brachycephalic dogs with different degrees of severity of brachycephalic airway syndrome using computed tomography. METHODS: A total of 26 brachycephalic dogs that had at least one of four major symptoms of snoring, inspiratory effort, stress or exercise intolerance, and syncope were included in this prospective study. The dogs were grouped by the frequency of different clinical signs into absent/minimal brachycephalic airway syndrome and severe brachycephalic airway syndrome groups. Five non-brachycephalic dogs were studied as control animals. All dogs underwent pharyngeal area computed tomography. Seven measurements were made on the transverse and midsagittal reconstructions. All parameters were compared between controls, absent/minimal and severe brachycephalic airway syndrome groups. RESULTS: The dogs with severe brachycephalic airway syndrome had significantly thicker soft palates compared to absent/minimal brachycephalic airway syndrome (P<0·05) and control (P<0·05) dogs. There were no significant differences among groups with regard to the length of the soft palate or the cross-sectional area of the airway at the level of the meatus nasopharyngeus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results support the thickening of the soft palate as a component of severe brachycephalic airway syndrome. Further studies are required to confirm the association between this anatomical characteristic and functional impairment.

Cyst of the common bile duct in a cat.

A cyst of the common bile duct (CBD) is reported in a 9-year-old cat that presented with a 1-week history of anorexia, weight loss and vomiting. Diagnosis was established by ultrasound examination and laparotomy, and was ultimately confirmed by histological analysis. Chronic cholangitis and an Escherichia coli species were detected concurrently according to the histopathological findings and bile culture, respectively. The case was managed by suturing the borders of the ostium of the cyst over a stent, using a temporary cholecystostomy tube and antibiotic therapy. At 7 months following the surgery, the cat was in excellent physical condition with no clinical evidence of recurrence of cholangitis or of the cyst after ultrasonographic evaluation. According to the human literature, cysts of the CBD require treatment because of their common association with cholangitis, pancreatitis, and cystic rupture. We were unable to confirm a link between the cyst and cholangitis in this case. It is possible that detection of this anomaly was an incidental finding unrelated to bacterbilia. Histological examination of cyst tissue is mandatory for a definitive diagnosis and to differentiate it from neoplasia. This is the first description of a cyst of the CBD in the cat.

Effects of autologous platelet rich plasma gel and calcium phosphate biomaterials on bone healing in an ulnar ostectomy model in dogs.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the bone healing properties of an osteopromotive platelet rich plasma (PRP) gel in combination with osteoconductive calcium phosphate (CaP) ceramic granules in a long-bone critical size defect in dogs. A standardised 2 cm long ulnar ostectomy was performed bilaterally in four dogs to compare new-bone formation by CaP matrix with and without association with PRP. Radiographic and histological evaluations were performed blindly. Radiographic evaluation was performed at three, six, nine, 12 and 16 weeks postoperatively. Quantitative measurements of new-bone formation were compared using statistical analysis. At explantation 16 weeks after surgery, no significant ossification was present, neither with CaP granules alone nor in association with PRP gel, and there was no difference of radiodensity between the groups. Qualitative histological evaluation demonstrated for both types of implants the presence of non-mineralised fibrous connective tissue around the CaP granules. New-bone formation was only present to a very small extent within the macropores of the CaP granules at the distal bone-implant interface. In our model which exhibited very limited osteoconduction, neither the CaP granules alone nor in association with PRP were sufficient to stimulate bone healing. In this canine model employing a critical size ulnar gap, the combination of CaP granules and PRP did not effectively promote bone regeneration.