Technical note: a 2-stage cecal cannulation technique in standing horses.

Cecal cannulation is necessary for sampling of intestinal contents for a variety of nutritional or digestive physiology studies. This report describes a 2-stage technique for permanent cecal cannulation in standing horses. For the first procedure, a right flank laparotomy is performed and a small pouch of the cecal base exteriorized and sutured to the body wall. The second procedure is performed approximately 1 wk later. During the second procedure, the exposed cecal pouch is removed and the cannula inserted. Ten horses were cannulated using this technique. After the first procedure, 1 horse developed a cecal impaction unresponsive to medical therapy and ruptured its cecum, whereas 2 other horses developed mild transient colic that responded to medical management. Insertion of the cecal cannula after creation of the stoma in the second procedure resulted in transient colic in 4 of 9 horses, but they responded to analgesic therapy in less than 24 h in all instances. The time to complete healing of the cannula site was approximately 30 d. The technique described in this report decreases the risk of peritonitis due to intestinal leakage and is technically easier to perform than previously described techniques.

Opiatabhangigkeit in der Schwangerschaft: Einfluss auf Schwangerschaftsverlauf, Perinatalperiode und langerfristige Entwicklung von Mutter und Kind.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of opioid addiction on pregnancy, perinatal period, and the long-term development of mother and child. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Records of 44 opioid-dependent women and their children were analyzed. Thirty-three patients were enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs or received codeine. RESULTS: Problems during pregnancy were premature rupture of membranes (n = 8), premature labor (n = 21), premature delivery (n = 9), abruption placentae (n = 2), cesarean section (n = 10), and fetal growth retardation (n = 15). Whereas MMT improved fetal growth, no influence was seen on other problems during pregnancy. Thirty newborns had significant withdrawal symptoms. One child became HIV-positive and two children required treatment for suspected congenital syphilis. One child died of sudden infant death syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The major goal has to be the avoidance of an unwanted pregnancy. Does it still happen, the patient needs special support. If an opioid-dependent woman presents herself the first time, an anamnesis concerning drugs in addition to a general anamnesis should be arisen.