Veterinary Surgery

CRAIG, DIANE; TODHUNTER, RORY

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00948.xpmid: 3507152

An esophageal stricture was diagnosed in a 9‐month‐old quarterhorse by esophagoscopy and positive pressure contrast esophagography. Medical management and two attempts at surgical intervention were unsuccessful. The initial surgical technique used was a linear esophagotomy, mucosal resection and anastomosis, and closure of the muscular tunic, which resulted in a more severe stricture. The second surgical procedure was interruption of the stricture cicatrix by a single linear esophagotomy and primary closure of only the esophageal muscular tunic. This technique resulted in an increased lumen diameter, but failed to adequately resolve the stricture. Successful resolution of the stricture with return to a normal diet was achieved by a two stage repair using formation of an esophagostomy to stabilize the esophagus, followed by fenestration of the mucosal‐submucosal cicatrix. Six months postoperatively, the horse was asymptomatic on a normal diet.

SULLINS, KENNETH E.; McILWRAITH, C. WAYNE

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00949.xpmid: 3507153

Transverse or oblique midshaft tibial osteotomies were created in 11 foals. The osteotomies were repaired during the same procedure using external skeletal fixation in either full splint or 3‐dimensional (3‐D) tent configurations. Four of the six foals receiving the full splint fixator recovered to full soundness; two were euthanized because of complications. The foals receiving the 3‐D tent configuration would not bear weight on the limbs and consequently suffered significant secondary fracture disease. These foals were euthanized for humane reasons before the scheduled termination of the project. The full splint configuration is considered a viable option for use in foals less than 150 kg with fractures that are not amenable to other proven methods of repair.

ROSS, M. W.; ORSINI, J. A.; EHNEN, S. J.

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00950.xpmid: 3507154

A 5‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding with recurrent cecal impaction refractory to medical management was treated with a side‐to‐side jejunocolic anastomosis. Cecal impaction did not recur after surgery. The horse gained weight and performed successfully for 14 months, but experienced three episodes of mild abdominal pain between 14 and 20 months after surgery. Mild cecal gas distention and firm ingesta in the colon were detected on rectal examination. The horse's feces remained soft after surgery, except during the colic episodes when dry, firm feces were passed.

ROSIN, EBERHARD; RICHARDSON, STEVE

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00951.xpmid: 2976548

Load‐deformation data were used to determine the strength of healing abdominal incisions in dogs at 7, 14, and 21 days after wounding. The breaking energy of paramedian incisions closed by suturing the internal and external leaves of the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle vs. incisions closed by suturing the external leaf only was similar in the 12 dogs studied. Closure of abdominal incisions by suturing only the external leaf of the rectus sheath provided wound strength comparable to the traditional method.

KOSTOLICH, MARILYN; DULISCH, MARY L.

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00952.xpmid: 3507155

Olfactory bulb lesions were diagnosed in four dogs presented for generalized seizure disorders. Surgery was performed on each dog using a transfrontal craniotomy. A free fascial‐fat graft was used to cover the dural defect resulting from surgery. No major complications were observed during the immediate postoperative period. The histopathologic diagnosis in each case was meningioma. Generalized seizures recurred in all dogs, and three dogs were euthanized for this reason from 9 to 29 weeks postoperatively. One dog was euthanized 12 weeks after surgery due to pancreatitis and pneumonia. Necropsy showed that two dogs had recurrent olfactory bulb meningiomas, one dog had a meningioma of the opposite olfactory bulb, and one dog was tumor free.

BELLAH, JAMIE R.

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00953.xpmid: 3507156

Attempted stabilization of open, distal radius and ulnar fractures in a 3‐year‐old German shepherd dog using intramedullary pins and a Schroeder‐Thomas splint resulted in malalignment of the limb and osteomyelitis. A double hook plate was used to rigidly stabilize the distal radial fracture after anatomical realignment. An autogenous cancellous bone graft was used where a lateral architectural defect remained after reduction. Culture of the fracture site showed Staphylococcus sp., which responded to chloramphenicol therapy. Fracture union and resolution of osteomyelitis occurred by 9 weeks after surgery, and the dog had no lameness and a normal muscle mass 22 weeks after surgery. The double hook plate provided rigid internal fixation of the radial fracture, allowed a rapid return to function during osteosynthesis, and minimal interference of antebrachiocarpal joint function occurred.

PAVLETIC, MICHAEL M.; KOSTOLICH, MARILYN; KOBLIK, PHILIP; ENGLER, STEVE

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00954.xpmid: 3507157

Latissimus dorsi and cutaneous trunci myocutaneous flaps of equal dimension and location were randomly elevated on opposite sides of the thorax in 10 dogs (group 1) and resutured to their respective bed. The procedure was repeated in four additional dogs (group 2); however, the short perforating branches of the thoracodorsal artery and vein were divided at the base of each cutaneous trunci myocutaneous flap, whereas the cutaneous pedicle and underlying cutaneous trunci muscle were divided in the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps to determine subsequent skin survivability and the major source of circulation of each myocutaneous flap. There was little difference in the percentage of skin survival between the latissimus dorsi and cutaneous trunci myocutaneous flaps in group 1 dogs. Circulation to the “skin island” of group 2 latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps originated from intramuscular anastomotic connections between the major branch of the thoracodorsal artery entering the latissimus dorsi muscle and the proximal lateral intercostal arteries perforating the muscle. Ligation of the short perforating branches of the thoracodorsal artery resulted in partial skin necrosis in all group 2 cutaneous trunci myocutaneous flaps. Results from this study indicate that it is unnecessary to elevate the latissimus dorsi muscle for major skin flap elevation and survival. The thicker latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is more difficult to develop surgically and appears to have no clinical major advantage over the more mobile cutaneous trunci myocutaneous flap or the adjacent thoracodorsal axial pattern flap for closure of large skin defects within the radius of flap rotation.

RISCHEN, CARL GRAY; WILSON, JAMES W.; SWAIN, CAROL A.

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00955.xpmid: 3507158

Anecdotal comments in the literature suggest that spinous fracture many weeks after application of polyvinilidine plates to the dorsal spinous processes of dogs may be due to associated adverse vascular changes. This study was undertaken to evaluate that hypothesis. Large size Lubra plates were cut to the appropriate length and applied to the dorsal spines of vertebrae L3 and L4. Vertebrae L2 and L5 served as operated controls. Vertebrae L1 and L6 served as unoperated normals. Two dogs were euthanized 1 week postoperatively, and three dogs each at 4,8, and 12 weeks. The effect of the plate on the dorsal spinous processes was evaluated using microangiography and correlated histology. There was no apparent change in vascular architecture associated with plate application, nor with surgery alone, at any time interval. There did appear to be a time dependent loss of bone associated with plate application, indicating a change in the relative balance of osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity, and altered bone turnover.

WILSON, JAMES W.

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00956.xpmid: 3507159

Three diameters of wire were placed circumferentialiy around the femora of six 22 week old puppies. The wires were placed over the periosteum on one limb and under the periosteum on the other limb. The effect of the wires on actively growing bone was evaluated 3 and 8 weeks after placement. Diffuse growth of periosteal new bone occurred in immature dog femora in which cerclage were placed under the periosteum. This reaction corresponded with dramatically increased medullary and periosteal microvas‐cularity coupled with histologic active trabecular bone formation. In femora in which wires were placed over the periosteum, even though the placement of the wires should supposedly have been the most detrimental, there were active vessels within the cortex directly under all wires. In both preparations, cerclage wires were becoming encased in the growing cortical bone 8 weeks after placement. Cerclage wires did not devitalize immature bone nor did it restrict adjacent appositional bone growth.

BERTONE, A. L.; McILWRAITH, C. W.; POWERS, B. E.; TROTTER, G. W.; STASHAK, T. S.

doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.1987.tb00957.xpmid: 3507160

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and subchondral cyst‐like lesions in 13 shoulders of 11 horses were treated arthroscopically by curettage and lavage. Lameness decreased in all 11 horses. Nine horses were sound, five of them athletically sound, after 5 to 20 months. Complications included the development of subchondral cyst‐like lesions and signs of degenerative joint disease. Arthroscopic surgery of the equine shoulder can be done through two portals, one for the arthroscope and one for an instrument. A few hand instruments such as a probe, Ferris‐Smith rongeurs, and small, large, and right‐angled curettes are needed to debride most lesions. Motorized equipment can expedite the process.