Surgical correction of ear curling caused by scar tissue formation in a horse

An 18-month-old Belgian Warmblood mare was evaluated because it had injured the outer convex aspect of the left auricle. Second intention healing of the wound area caused tissue contracture, which resulted in the tip of the ear curling backward. By use of a technique involving undermining of the skin and a flap of granulation tissue on the medial aspect of the wound area and multiple incisions of the auricular cartilage, the curling was relieved and the ear regained a more normal shape. A skin graft was applied to cover the existing wound defect in an attempt to accelerate wound healing; thermoplastic material was contoured to fit the inner concave surface of the ear for immobilization and fixation of the ear in its final shape after surgery. Thirty days after surgery, the graft had healed completely and the ear had a normal conformation. The successful outcome of this treatment suggests that correction of an ear deformity secondary to scar tissue formation by use of an adapted surgical technique and appropriate materials can be achieved with good cosmetic results in horses.     

Surgical repair and reconstruction of a nasal fistula following intra-lesional formalin injection

A 6-year-old Cleveland Bay mare was referred to the University of Liverpool Equine Hospital for repair of an iatrogenic nasocutaneous fistula. The fistula had developed following attempted ablation of an epidermal inclusion cyst located in the right nasal diverticulum with intra-lesional formalin 6 weeks previously. Subsequent tissue necrosis resulted in the formation of a full-thickness defect in the overlying tissues and the creation of a 5 × 5 cm nasocutaneous fistula. Surgical management consisted of initial debridement of the fistula and use of a commercial dermal regeneration mesh to bridge the defect, acting as a tissue scaffold. The levator labii superioris muscle was utilised to cover the scaffold by transecting it close to its proximal origin and reflecting it rostrally. Finally, a transposition skin flap was created adjacent to the site and was rotated to cover the defect. The mare made an excellent recovery, and follow-up confirmed complete healing of the surgical site with an excellent cosmetic outcome.     

Transposition of first digital pad for reconstruction of a palmar antebrachial soft tissue defect in a cat

An 8-year-old female neutered Siamese cat was presented with a recent history of incomplete excision of an apocrine gland adenocarcinoma from the palmar aspect of the right antebrachium, just proximal to the carpal joint. There was no evidence of metastasis. Wide surgical excision of the previous surgery site was performed resulting in a soft tissue defect. Partial reconstruction was achieved using digital pad transposition of the first digit (dewclaw), forming a local axial pattern flap that was transposed into the adjacent defect. The remaining defect was closed by primary apposition. The skin flap healed successfully. Some breakdown of the skin closed by primary apposition necessitated open wound management. The cosmetic and functional result of the first digital pad transposition was considered excellent, rendering it a useful means to reconstruct soft tissue defects in the carpal region.     

Tissue Expansion in Pig Skin – A Histochemical Approach

In the present study, a porcine model for controlled skin expansion was investigated to improve our understanding of epidermal and vascular responses following stretching. The model is of outstanding importance not only for the clinical use of tissue expansion but provides interesting data for skin physiology and oncology, too. Thirteen out of 15 animals, who underwent silicone tissue expander implantation showed good clinical results. In all of them, skin biopsies were taken at the end of a controlled tissue expansion procedure (final expander volumes 350 or 500 ccm): one tissue specimen was obtained from the centre of the expanded skin area and a second from the neighbouring but nonexpanded skin. The tissue specimens were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and processed to 4 microns thick acetone-fixed frozen sections. Lectin histochemistry and immunohistology were performed using the following techniques: direct and indirect immunofluorescence technique (DIFT, IIFT), immunoperoxidase technique (POX) with either 3,3'-diamino-benzidine (DAB) or 3-amino-9-ethyl-carbazole (AEC). The histochemical findings were supplemented by measurements of the number of vital epidermal cell layers, the epidermal thickness (microns), and the papillary vascular count per visual field. There was a significant diminuation of the vascular count (mean +/- S.D. = 55.0% +/- 12.5%; U-test: p less than 5%). By immunohistochemistry, a loss of the basal cell reactivity for the following antibodies was noted: ACAM (against calmodulin), K 8.12 (against keratins 13 +/- 16) and A51-B/H4 (against keratins 8, 14, 18). There was a remarkable increase of filaggrin expression in the uppermost spinal cell layers in expanded skin, which was most pronounced in those specimens with the shortest interval to the last fluid injection into the expander. We gained no evidence for alterations of the expression of suprabasal epidermal keratins, lectin binding sites (UEA I, PNA, ConA, WGA), and vascular lectin- and immunoreactivity due to tissue expansion. The subdermal capsule, which had formed around the silicone expander, was strongly vimentin-reactive. In conclusion, controlled tissue expansion is capable to change the basal cell phenotype--a feature which is shared with a number of conditions with increased proliferative activity and with the epidermis covering different skin tumours. The regular expression of suprabasal keratins and epidermal lectin binding sites provides evidence for a normal epidermal cell differentiation. Furthermore, the porcine skin is a reliable model for studying physiology and pathophysiology of human skin.     

Controlled Tissue Expansion in the Distal Extremities of Dogs

Controlled tissue expansion using a 100 cc rectangular silicone elastomer expander was performed in the mid-antebrachium and mid-crus of eight adult mixed-breed dogs. Two expander inflation schedules were followed. Group 1 dogs (n = 4) underwent expander inflation using 10 cc sterile saline every other day, and group 2 dogs (n = 4) underwent expander inflation using 15 cc sterile saline every other day until the nominal volume (100 cc) was attained. Significant mean postexpansion increases in skin surface area of 94.1 cm² (35.9%) and 108.9 cm² (37.3%) were measured in the antebrachium and crus, respectively (p < .05). In a second procedure, the expanders were removed and skin flaps were developed from the redundant tissue generated during the expansion process. Single pedicle advancement flaps and transposition flaps were used to cover surgically created defects measuring 5 times 10 cm in the antebrachium and cms. Single pedicle advancement flaps consistently measured 10 × 10 cm and could be advanced to cover defects involving one third of the mid-antebrachial or mid-crural circumference. Transposition flaps were rotated up to 170 and the donor site defects were easily closed under minimal or no tension. Complications included an abscess in one dog and seroma formation in four dogs. Differences in success or complication rates between group 1 dogs and group 2 dogs were not observed; an accelerated inflation schedule using 15 cc sterile saline every other day was recommended.     

Measurement of transepidermal water loss from clipped and unclipped anatomical sites on the dog

Objectives   To establish a standardised clipping method for the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) with a VapoMeter® in Beagle dogs and to identify the optimal anatomical site for TEWL measurement.
Procedure   TEWL values obtained from skin sites on five healthy Beagles clipped using two different blade angles (standard vs non-standard) were compared. TEWL values for 48 h were also obtained from seven different anatomical sites that had differing hair density. The hair was clipped in the intensively haired anatomical sites (head, lower and upper back and tail), but not clipped in the sparsely haired sites (ear, inguinal region, footpad).
Results   The TEWL values for the standard and non-standard clipping sites were 6.3 ± 1.31 and 27.2 ± 1.11 g/h/m², respectively. We found the upper back among the clipped sites was the most appropriate site for TEWL measurement over 48 h after clipping, whereas among the unclipped sites the ear was the most appropriate, because the TEWL values from those anatomical sites had the least fluctuation and were less affected by movement.
Conclusion   The clipping method and anatomical site should be standardised in order to minimise the experimental variation in TEWL measurement in dogs.     

德国牧羊犬成纤维细胞培养及其生长特性研究

试验旨在探讨犬耳部和腹部皮肤成纤维细胞体外培养和纯化方法,为下一步犬体细胞核移植提供基础。结果表明,在组织块培养后的4 d,耳组织周围开始有细胞出现,8~10 d呈优势生长,2周后可长满细胞瓶。腹部皮肤组织则要6~7 d方可见有细胞沿组织块周围爬出,10 d左右可以在组织块周围形成成片细胞,20 d左右可以长满整个细胞瓶。腹部皮肤成纤维细胞建系初期生长速度低于耳成纤维细胞,但传代至第4代时,两种细胞的生长曲线基本相同。     

Levator Nasolabials Muscle Transposition to Prevent an Orosinus Fistula after Tooth Extraction in Horses

The ventral part of the levator nasolabialis muscle was transposed to the alveolar defect after sinusotomy and tooth extraction in five normal horses and six horses with a tooth root abscess and sinusitis. In the normal horses at weeks 6, 10, 14 and 18, the transposed muscles remained viable and were incorporated into the recipient sites, and orosinus fistulae did not form. Histologically, there was a progressive transition from muscle to fibrous tissue. There was no facial deformity or loss of nasal function at the donor site. A localized abscess was associated with incomplete removal of tooth root fragments in one horse. After 1 year or more, five horses treated for dental disease had complete resolution of clinical signs. One horse continued to have intermittent mild nasal discharge.     

Treatment of degloving injuries with autogenous full thickness mesh scrotal free grafts

In this report, we evaluated the effectiveness of scrotal tissue as an autogenous free skin graft to treat cutaneous degloving injuries of the distal limb in dogs. Surgery was performed on two male intact dogs with distal extremity degloving wounds. Dog #1 had a tarsal degloving wound with exposure of the distal tibial and tarsal bones. Dog #2 had a degloving injury over the metacarpals. Wounds were treated with daily wet-to-dry bandages in order to develop a healthy bed of granulation tissue at the graft recipient site. Scrotal ablation castration was performed once the recipient site had been prepared. Subcutaneous and adipose tissue were excised from the scrotal graft and mesh slits were created. The graft was applied to the recipient site with monofilament absorbable simple interrupted sutures. Bandaging was performed postoperatively, and bandage changes occurred four, seven, nine and 11 days postoperatively. Follow-up was performed at 30 days. In dog #1, the tarsal degloving injury graft had first intention healing with 100% graft take on day 11. In dog #2, the metacarpal degloving injury graft had 90% graft take on day nine, with second intention healing adjacent to the fifth digit pad. The scrotum is often discarded at the time of scrotal ablation castration. Distal extremity wounds can be successfully treated with free skin grafts. In male dogs, the scrotum is a viable option as a full thickness mesh free graft for distal extremity reconstructive surgery.     

皮肤扩张术在兽医上的应用前景

皮肤的大面积损伤在兽医临床上较为多见,但现有的治疗手段很难满足动物美观的要求,皮肤扩张技术以其扩张获得的“额外”的皮肤与正常皮肤直接缝合以作修复疤痕组织或皮肤缺损,这样既解决了修复所需要的皮源问题,又可以避免大面积植皮形成的新的瘢痕组织,扩张皮肤克服了植皮色素沉着,与周围皮肤颜色不协调,遗留供区新创面的缺点,成为国内外医学界修复瘢痕广泛应用的新技术,应用前景十分广阔。     

马皮肤成纤维细胞的分离与体外培养

研究用小组织块直接培养法和酶消化法成功地分离了马皮肤成纤维细胞,并对其进行了体外培养,同时筛选出消化马皮肤组织块的适宜酶及酶浓度,获得了马皮肤成纤维细胞的生长曲线,并发现至少在传至第12代时有81.3%的染色体还保持正常的倍数(2n=64)。     

不同冷冻保护剂和冷冻方法对小鼠耳皮肤成纤维细胞冻存效果的影响

通过比较不同冷冻保存方法和冷冻保护剂对小鼠耳皮肤成纤维细胞冷冻-解冻复苏后细胞存活率、48h贴壁率和细胞生长曲线的影响,筛选适宜的小鼠耳皮肤成纤维细胞冷冻保存方法和冷冻保护剂。结果表明,以100mL/L二甲基亚砜(DMSO)作为冷冻保护剂进行小鼠耳皮肤成纤维细胞冷冻保存时,方法3处理组解冻复苏后细胞存活率和培养48h细胞贴壁率均高于方法2处理组(P>0.05),并分别极显著高于方法1和方法4。采用方法3进行冷冻保存时,以100mL/L DMSO作为冷冻剂的细胞贴壁率显著高于100mL/L甘油(GL)组(P<0.05),且冷冻解冻后的细胞呈现正常的分裂增殖生长模式。因此,宜选择100mL/L胎牛血清(FBS)+100mL/L DMSO+DMEM作为冷冻保护液,采用方法3进行小鼠耳皮肤成纤维细胞的冷冻保存。     

Use of skin stretchers to elongate a peninsular thoracodorsal axial pattern flap for antebrachial wound closure in a dog

Objective: To describe preoperative use of skin stretchers to elongate a peninsular thoracodorsal axial pattern flap to close a large antebrachial wound on a dog. Study Design: Case report. Animals: A 21 kg, 7‐year‐old, male intact mixed breed dog. Methods: Two skin stretchers were applied to the site of the thoracodorsal axial pattern flap 4 days before surgery. The elastic cables connecting the adhesive pads were tightened daily to increase the skin available for a peninsular thoracodorsal axial pattern flap, which was created and rotated 180° to cover an antebrachial defect to a level 2 cm proximal to the carpus. Results: The entire flap survived; there was a small amount of incisional separation at the distal margin of the flap that healed without further treatment. Conclusion: Preoperative skin stretching provided additional skin for the axial pattern flap used.     

Rapid Tissue Expansion for the Development of Rotational Skin Flaps in the Distal Portion of the Hindlimb of Dogs: An Experimental Study

In phase I, tissue expanders were implanted subcutaneously over the lateral crural region of four dogs. The expanders were inflated daily to maintain a constant intraluminal pressure for 7 days. All animals tolerated the pressurized expanders well. Some animal patient discomfort was associated with repeated injections into the subcutaneous filling port. One dog developed a limited area of tissue loss and exposure of the expander. Tissue response to the expanders included epidermal hyperplasia, dermal collagen compression with early fibroplasia, and subcutaneous granulation tissue formation adjacent to the expander pocket. In phase II, a second group of four dogs underwent rapid skin expansion over 7 days. The pressure applied to the expanding skin was determined daily and adjusted to approximate the value reported for capillary pressure in the dog. Tissue discoloration occurred in two dogs, suggestive of impaired circulation. Skin flaps were developed from expanded skin and rotated over the talocrural region. Wound dehiscence occurred along the distal flap margin in three phase II dogs. These wounds healed by second intention. Branches of the caudal saphenous artery were identified, using angiography, as the primary blood supply to the skin flaps.     

Cosmetic repair of a facial deformity by use of a silicone implant in a horse

A heat-vulcanized silicone implant was used for cosmetic repair of a facial deformity in a horse. The deformity had resulted from fracture of the frontal bone into the frontal sinus 6 months earlier. Normal facial contour was restored by suturing the sculpted implant to the periosteum over the defect. Results 1 year after surgery were excellent.     

Bilateral skin fold rotation-advancement flaps for the closure of large lumbosacral wounds in three dogs

Three dogs were presented for the management of disease processes resulting in large skin defects over the dorsal lumbosacral region. One had severe dog bite wounds, one had a large burn sustained from a heating pad and one had a large myxosarcoma in the region. In each case, the extent and location of the resulting skin defect were assessed as factors likely to prevent reconstruction using simple tension-relieving techniques alone or in combination with established reconstructive techniques, such as axial pattern flaps or skin stretching devices. Bilateral skin fold rotation-advancement flaps (SFRAFs) based on the flank folds were mobilised dorsally and allowed complete wound closure in two dogs and subtotal closure in the other dog. All wounds healed without major complications and an acceptable cosmetic outcome was achieved in each case. Minor flap debridement was required in two dogs. The use of bilateral SFRAFs is a useful technique alone or in combination with other reconstructive techniques for the closure of large dorsal lumbosacral skin defects when existing techniques are not sufficient. Small flank folds, such as those of obese dogs, may yield unexpectedly large SFRAFs.     

Chronic axillary wound repair in a cat with omentalisation and omocervical skin flap

A mature, neutered male domestic cat was presented with a chronic axillary wound of unknown origin and at least three years' duration. The diagnostic investigation included screening tests for feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, tissue culture and histological examination. No underlying aetiology or perpetuating cause could be identified. An omental flap was created, passed via a subcutaneous tunnel, and packed into the wound site after excision of all chronic granulation tissue. The skin defect was closed using an omocervical axial pattern skin flap. A small area of the distal edge of the flap became necrotic but the defect healed by second intention. To the author's knowledge, this is the first clinical report of the use of an omocervical skin flap for repair of a chronic axillary wound in a cat. This flap offers a useful alternative where the use of a thoracodorsal axial pattern flap is not possible due to the extent of the lesion.     

蒙古斑点马黑、白毛色区域皮肤中相关基因的表达研究

本试验以蒙古斑点马为研究对象,分别对蒙古斑点马体躯白色区域和黑色区域皮肤的表型和差异表达基因进行分析并验证,试图解析蒙古斑点马毛色形成的分子机制,为今后保护和开发利用蒙古斑点马奠定基础.选择蒙古斑点马体躯白色和黑色区域皮肤制作组织切片,HE染色后在显微镜下观察其表型差异;对白色和黑色区域皮肤组织进行转录组测序,比较差异...     

Generalized fatal Cowpox virus infection in a cat with transmission to a human contact case

A 4-month-old female domestic shorthair cat was infected by a virus of the Poxvirus family. The animal developed a severe pneumonia and generalized ulcerating lesions of the skin. Histologically, typical eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies indicative of an Orthopoxvirus (OPV) infection were present. The lung showed grey-white to haemorrhagic nodular lesions with a central zone of complete necrosis of alveolar and bronchial tissue. Electron microscopy from skin and lung nodules revealed typical square-shaped OPV particles. Cultivation of the virus on chorio-allantoic membranes of embryonated chicken eggs resulted in haemorrhagic plaques. Restriction enzyme analysis, PCR and sequencing of the D8L gene identified the OPV isolate as a typical Cowpox virus. It was transmitted by the cat to a human contact person who developed a local nodular dermatitis at the inoculation site in association with signs of general infection and had an increase of OPV-specific neutralizing antibodies in paired serum samples.     

猪葡萄球菌临床分离株感染仔猪渗出性皮炎模型的建立

为建立研究仔猪渗出性皮炎发病机制及治疗制剂的动物模型,本研究采用PCR及BLAST序列比对方法对猪葡萄球菌437-2株毒素基因型进行鉴定,采用纸片扩散法检测其耐药性,通过不同浓度菌液人工感染仔猪试验分析该菌株的临床致病力、最小致病浓度、发病周期及组织病理学变化。结果显示,该分离菌株为ExhD毒素基因型,其毒素基因与德国分离株（GenBank登录号：AM94662.1）和俄罗斯分离株（GenBank登录号：AM950188.1）的ExhD基因同源性达99%;药敏试验结果显示,该菌株为多重耐药菌株,对青霉素、磺胺异噁唑、链霉素、阿奇霉素、红霉素、四环素、杆菌肽及诺氟沙星耐药;仔猪致病性试验结果显示,低剂量组在整个试验周期内仅注射部位表现出皮炎症状,而中、高剂量组在耳后皮下注射2 d后均出现显著的渗出性皮炎症状,病猪表现为耳后出现油皮,全身被毛粗糙,皮肤呈深褐色厚皮痂,有大片蜕皮和黄色液体渗出;感染仔猪的脏器和皮肤病理切片结果显示,低剂量组仔猪脏器无异常,耳部皮肤角质层角化过度,炎性细胞浸润,无棘皮层细胞分离,而中、高剂量组感染仔猪脏器具有一定程度的损伤,皮肤表皮棘细胞层出现明显的细胞分离。上述试验结果说明,利用猪葡萄球菌437-2株可成功建立仔猪渗出性皮炎模型,所需的最小攻菌浓度为1×10⁹ CFU/mL。