Wound Drainage from Under Full-thickness Skin Grafts in Dogs Part II. Effect on Cosmetic Appearance

Four skin grafting procedures were performed on both sides of the chests of 12 dogs to evaluate the effect of wound drainage on the survival and cosmetic appearance of the grafts. The techniques evaluated were a sheet graft, (control), continuous low level suction, piecrust incisions, and nonexpanded mesh graft. Graft viability was assessed on the 10th postoperative day by visual inspection. The mean survival rate for all grafts was 90%. No significant difference between graft types was observed.
Hair growth on each graft was assessed 3 months postoperatively as "normal" (resembled that on the surrounding skin), "moderate" (thickness of hair growth was less than normal but would nearly conceal the underlying skin), "sparse" (a few hairs were present and the skin below was easily visible), and "none" (no hair growth). No statistical differences in categories of hair growth were detected within types or between types of grafts. Hair growth also was assessed as "acceptable" (those areas having normal and moderate hair growth) and "nonacceptable" (hair growth sparse or none). No difference between graft types was noted. All types exhibited a significantly greater area of acceptable than nonacceptable hair growth.     

In Vitro Biomechanical Comparison of Solid and Tubular Interlocking Nails in Neonatal Bovine Femurs

This study biomechanically evaluates solid and tubular interlocking nails in bovine neonatal femurs. Paired femurs from 40 neonatal dairy calves were obtained for mechanical testing. Intact femurs and four combinations of experimentally manipulated femurs (intact or ostectomized femurs with either a solid or tubular interlocking nail) were tested in craniocaudal and lateromedial bending, eccentric axial compression, and external torsion to evaluate composite rigidity, local/gap stiffness, and load to failure (compression and torsion only). In torsional composite rigidity, femurs with tubular interlocking nails were more compliant than intact femurs or intact femurs with solid interlocking nails (P <.001). Ostectomized femurs with solid interlocking nails were similar to intact femurs with tubular interlocking nails. Within femurs with tubular interlocking nails, ostectomized femurs were more compliant than intact femurs (P <.0001). In craniocaudal and lateromedial bending rigidity, ostectomized femurs were more compliant than intact femurs, regardless of interlocking nail type (P <.001). Within ostectomized femurs, tubular interlocking nails were more compliant than solid interlocking nails in craniocaudal bending (P <.05) and there was a similar trend in lateromedial bending (P=.06). In eccentric axial compression, local/ gap stiffness was significantly greater in intact femurs compared with intact femurs with solid (48% of intact bone) or tubular (45% of intact bone) interlocking nails and ostectomized femurs with solid (18% of intact bone) or tubular (11 % of intact bone) interlocking nails (P <.0001). In torsional testing, local/gap stiffness was not significantly different between intact femurs and intact femurs with interlocking nails, but was significantly lower in ostectomized femurs with solid (2% of intact bone) and tubular (0.2% of intact bone) interlocking nails (P <.0001). In torsional and compressive failure testing, plastic deformation of the tubular interlocking nail occurred at the unoccupied screw hole at the ostectomy site before bone failure. Interlocking nails should be considered as an optional repair method for neonatal bovine femoral fractures. Until the actual physiological loading characteristics of neonatal calf femurs are measured, it is uncertain whether solid or tubular interlocking nails tested in this study will provide sufficient strength and stiffness to stabilize neonatal bovine femoral fractures and facilitate healing.     

Techniques for Reconstructing Circular Skin Defects in Dogs

The development of dog-ears of redundant skin or removal of large areas of additional skin are problems often encountered when closing circular skin defects. Defects 3 cm in diameter were created along the backs of dogs. Eight techniques of reconstruction were evaluated by measuring the area of additional skin removed and length of final suture line and by counting the number of dog-ears produced. The eight techniques were linear, fusiform, double S, three point, four point, pin wheel, bow tie, and combined V closures. Based on the results of this study, the linear, combined V, and bow tie techniques provide the best closure. In general, the linear technique should be used when skin edges can be apposed without the formation of dog-ears (e.g., smaller defects). When skin edge apposition results in dog-ear formation and when there is limited skin for reconstruction surrounding the defect, the combined V technique should be used. When larger dog-ears form as the skin edges are apposed and when there is an abundance of skin surrounding the defect, the bow tie technique could be considered for closure. One-half of the bow tie technique can be used to approximate wound edges where one edge is long and curved.     

XERORADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE EQUINE DIGIT AND METACARPOPHALANGEAL REGION

The purpose of the project was to use xeroradiography to provide a reference for radiographic anatomy of the equine digit and metacarpophalangeal region. The left foredigits and metacarpophalangeal joints of a mature horse and a 30-day-old foal were radiographed, using xeroradiographic techniques. Fifteen xeroradiographs, illustrating standard projections of each area, were selected and appropriately labeled to demonstrate normal radiographic anatomy of these regions. These xeroradiographs have been used successfully for several years to teach radiographic anatomy of these areas to first-year veterinary students at North Carolina State University.     

The Beneficent Forest

In earlier times most of our land was covered with some kindof woodland. Today the forest land percentage in Britain isonly 7?1, hence if the forest is beneficent we are claiminglittle of its benefits. Recent work shows that forest is relativelyefficient in utilizing solar energy. Because of the nature ofthe nitrogen and mineral cycles in the forest it tends to buildup soil fertility. Conversely grazing depletes it. Past deforestationhas almost completely destroyed an earlier forest fauna, butsome rare and interesting animals and plants are increasingwith an expanding forest area. A discussion of the influenceof forest cover on water supplies leads to the conclusion thatif there is a somewhat lower yield compared with some typesof grassland this is offset by other benefits such as a reductionin erosion. Forest products are amongst the most important ofthe world's primary products, and we spend about ?450,000,000per annum on timber and products derived from it. An appealis made for a still more determined effort to solve the problemsof the integration of pastoral agriculture and forestry leadingto an extension of the woodland area and a greater claim onthe beneficence of the forest.     

THE PROGRESS OF TECHNICAL FORESTRY IN BRITAIN 1926-1951

The object of the Society and the position of forestry in GreatBritain when the Society was founded 25 years ago are given.The entry into the field of large numbers of university-trainedmen, whose first task was to extend the forest area of the country,was the essentially new development of the post-1914–18war period and gains in the technical field have been mainlyin the solution of problems arising from large-scale afforestationof state forests. The paper considers briefly the progress madehere and goes on to discuss the further problems of naturalregeneration, irregular structure of forest crops, pure andmixed woodlands, and three urgent problems of today: the restockingof unprofitable woodland, the introduction of broad-leaved speciesinto the new coniferous plantations, and the problem of tendingand its bearing on increment, on timber quality, on markets,and on soil development. We have been slow in applying geneticsto forestry but progress should now be rapid. Increased mechanizationis necessary in the face of rising labour costs. Finally, ifwe are to make the best use of our resources both of natureand of man-power, economic considerations must be applied moreintensively to the whole range of forestry problems.     

Splanchnic Surface Oximetry during Experimental Portal Hypertension and Surgical Manipulation of Portosystemic Shunts in Dogs

Surface oxygen tension (PSO2) was measured in dogs during experimental manipulation of the portal vein and hepatic artery, and during surgery to correct portosystemic shunting. There was no alteration in PSO2 of liver, pancreas, duodenum, or jejunum during partial (50%) or complete reduction of hepatic artery flow. After 100% reduction in portal vein blood flow, PSO2 was lower in jejunum, duodenum, and liver. With 50% reduction in portal flow, PSO2 was significantly decreased only in jejunum. In six dogs with single extrahepatic shunts, there was a significant correlation between portal pressure and jejunal PSO2. It was concluded that measurement of visceral organ PSO2 represents an accurate noninvasive means of obtaining objective data on the effect of reduction in hepatic blood flow on perfusion of other select splanchnic organs.     

The Effects of Wound Lavage Solutions on Canine Fibroblasts: An In Vitro Study

Objective —The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), sterile tap water, normal saline, and Ringer's lactate on wound healing in an in vitro model.
Study Design —The effects of PBS, sterile tap water, normal saline, and Ringer's lactate on a primary line of canine embryonic fibroblasts were determined.
Animals or Sample Population —A primary line of canine embryonic fibroblasts.
Methods —The effects of the various lavage solutions were determined by (1) vital staining of the treated cells with a 0.5% trypan blue solution, (2) evaluation of the amount of lactate dehydrogenase released by the treated cells, and (3) cytopathologic evaluation of hematoxylin and eosin-stained monolayers of treated canine fibroblasts. The cells were exposed to the lavage treatments for the following time intervals: 0.5 minute, 1 minute, 2.5 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes. PBS was used as the control.
Results —Sterile tap water significantly damaged canine fibroblasts at all time intervals ( P = .05). This was attributed to the alkaline pH, hypotonicity, and presence of numerous cytotoxic trace elements in the tap water used. Cytotoxic effects were noted in fibroblasts after 10 minutes' exposure to normal saline; this may be because of the acidic pH of normal saline and lack of a buffering system. Ringer's lactate did not induce any significant fibroblast injury.
Conclusions —PBS and Ringer's lactate do not induce any significant fibroblast injury, whereas normal saline and sterile tap water cause mild and severe cytotoxic effects in vitro.
Clinical Relevance —Further clinical investigation is indicated to establish whether Ringer's lactate is the wound lavage solution of choice compared with normal saline. Sterile tap water may cause considerable fibroblast injury.     

Surgical Treatment of Gastric Outflow Obstruction in 40 Foals

Objective— To report short- and long-term survival and factors affecting outcome of foals after surgical correction of gastric outflow obstruction.
Study Design— Case series.
Animals— Foals (n=40) aged 5–180 days.
Methods— Clinical signs, laboratory data, diagnostic imaging, surgical findings, surgical procedures, medical treatment, and necropsy findings were retrieved from medical records. Outcome was obtained by reviewing performance, sales, and produce records or by telephone conversations with the owners.
Results— Gastric outflow obstruction was treated by gastroduodenostomy or by gastrojejunostomy with or without jejunojejunostomy. Long-term follow-up was available for 36 of 39 foals that survived to hospital discharge; 25 (69%) survived >2 years. All 8 foals with pyloric obstruction survived >2 years, whereas only 11 of 21 (52%) foals with duodenal obstruction survived >2 years. Six of 8 foals with obstruction of the duodenum and pylorus survived >2 years. Obstruction of the duodenum, adhesions to the duodenum, and postoperative ileus were significantly associated with decreased long-term survival.
Conclusions— Long-term outcome after gastric bypass procedures was substantially improved compared with previous reports. Factors that may have contributed to improved survival include better case selection and performing the gastrojejunostomy with the jejunum aligned from left to right.
Clinical Relevance— The prognosis for long-term survival after surgical bypass of pyloric obstruction is excellent. The overall prognosis for long-term survival after surgical bypass of duodenal obstruction is fair but should be considered guarded in those with pre-existing duodenal adhesions.