Partial Gastrectomy with an Automatic Stapling Instrument for Treatment of Gastric Necrosis Secondary to Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus

A gastrointestinal anastomosis stapling instrument was used to perform partial gastrectomy in nine dogs undergoing emergency surgery for gastric dilatation-volvulus. The amount of necrotic stomach resected was 20% to 50%. Permanent gastropexy was performed, and six dogs also required partial or total splenectomy. Six dogs (67%) were normal after surgery, with follow-up periods of 6 to 16 months for five dogs. One dog died and two dogs were euthanatized because of postoperative complications unrelated to the surgical technique. There were no complications involving the partial gastrectomy staple line.     

Results of Partial Mandibulectomy for the Treatment of Oral Tumors in 142 Dogs

Partial mandibulectomy was performed for the treatment of benign or malignant oral tumors in 142 dogs. Forty-two dogs with a benign tumor (ameloblastoma) had a 22.5 month (range, 6 to 74 months) median disease-free interval, with a 97% 1-year survival rate; there was local recurrence in one dog. Twenty-four dogs with squamous cell carcinoma had a disease-free interval of 26 months (range, 6 to 84 months), with a 91% 1-year survival rate; recurrence and metastasis developed in two dogs and metastatic disease in one dog. Based on survival curves, 37 dogs with a melanoma had a median survival time of 9.9 months (range, 1 to 36 months), with a 21% 1-year survival rate; 20 dogs died or were euthanatized for recurrent or metastatic disease. Twenty dogs with osteosarcoma had a median survival time of 13.6 months (range, 3 to 28 months), with a 35% 1-year survival rate; nine dogs died or were euthanatized for recurrent or metastatic disease. Nineteen dogs with fibrosarcoma had median survival time of 10.6 months (range, 3 to 32 months), with a 50% 1-year survival rate; 12 dogs died or were euthanatized for recurrent or metastatic disease. Results of this and previous studies demonstrated that partial mandibulectomy was effective in prolonging survival and decreasing recurrence for squamous cell carcinoma and ameloblastoma. Progressive disease and corresponding low survival times were common in dogs with melanoma, osteosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma. There were no differences in survival times or the progression of disease among five partial hemimandibulectomy procedures. The high rates of recurrence and metastasis in dogs with these tumors suggest a need for evaluation of ancillary chemotherapy and local radiation therapy to decrease the prevalence of progressive disease.     

Cecal-Colic Volvulus in Two Dogs

Cecal-colic volvulus was confirmed by surgery in two dogs. Both dogs were intact, male Great Danes. The clinical and diagnostic findings were not specific for large bowel volvulus. Clinical signs included peracute to acute onset of vomiting, mild abdominal distention and pain, lack of feces, and tenesmus. Abdominal radiographs demonstrated severe dilatation of bowel loops in both dogs. One dog survived.     

Small Bowel Volvulus in Dogs Clinical Observations

Small bowel volvulus was diagnosed in six dogs. Peracute onset, hematochezia, and lack of vomition were the most prominent clinical features. All affected dogs exceeded 23 kg in body weight. Five of the six dogs were males and two were German shepherd dogs.
There were no diagnostic findings that were specific for intestinal volvulus. Abdominal radiographs in two dogs were interpreted as showing "pathologic" dilatation of bowel. However, it could not be determined whether the dilatation was caused by adynamic ileus or by mechanical obstruction. Results of hematological tests help to differentiate other causes of bloody diarrhea such as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and parvovirus enteritis.
Prognosis for dogs with intestinal volvulus was poor: all six of the dogs in our series died.     

Complications and Long-term Results after Partial Laryngectomy for the Treatment of Idiopathic Laryngeal Paralysis in 45 Dogs

Forty-five dogs with severe respiratory signs caused by idiopathic, acquired laryngeal paralysis were treated by partial laryngectomy. The predominant postoperative complications were coughing in 28 dogs and pneumonia in 15 dogs. Eight dogs required a second operation to alleviate persistent or recurrent upper airway obstruction. Results of surgery were considered excellent in 11 dogs (25%), good in 18 dogs (40%), fair in 6 dogs (13%), and poor in 10 dogs (22%). Poorer results were obtained by surgical residents than by more experienced surgeons. Death in the immediate postoperative period was related to pneumonia (8 dogs) and laryngeal collapse (1 dog). Nine dogs died later of respiratory disease. Although partial laryngectomy is effective for the treatment of laryngeal paralysis, it is not recommended because of the high incidence of postoperative complications.     

Long-Term Results of Complete and Partial Ligation of Congenital Portosystemic Shunts in Dogs

The medical records of 65 dogs that underwent complete or partial ligation of a single congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS) were reviewed to determine the long-term clinical results. Information retrieved from the records included age at surgery, preligation (baseline) portal pressure, postligation portal pressure, change in portal pressure from baseline, complete or partial occlusion of the shunting vessel and fasting, and 2-hour postprandial bile acids from the preoperative, early postoperative (PO), and greater than 1 year PO time periods. A clinical rating score derived from a follow-up examination greater than 1 year PO was assigned to each dog. Of the 56 dogs that survived the perioperative period, 29 (52%) had complete and 27 (48%) had partial ligations. Age at surgery, pre- and postligation portal pressure, change in portal pressure from baseline and serum bile acid concentrations were not related to long-term clinical outcome. Clinical rating scores were significantly greater for dogs with partial CPSS ligations compared with dogs with complete ligations, indicating a less favorable clinical outcome for partial ligations. Fasting and 2-hour postprandial bile acid values at both PO time intervals were significantly greater in partial versus complete ligation groups. Follow-up information for more than 1 year was available on 18 of 29 dogs (62%) with complete ligations. All were clinically normal. Of 27 dogs with partial ligations, 11 dogs (41%) developed recurrence of clinical signs resulting in presentation to the university or referring veterinarian for additional surgery, medical management, or euthanasia. Only three dogs with partial CPSS ligation (11%) were clinically normal. Another nine dogs (33%) were operated on again before the possible development of clinical signs and four dogs (15%) were unavailable for follow-up. It was concluded that partial ligation of CPSS is associated with a greater recurrance of clinical signs and patient morbidity than complete ligation.     

Comparison of the Recurrence Rate of Gastric Dilatation with or Without Volvulus in Dogs after Circumcostal Gastropexy Versus Gastrocolopexy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the recurrence rate of acute gastric dilatation with or without volvulus (GDV) after circumcostal gastropexy (CCGP) or gastrocolopexy (GCP) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, double-blind, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial with two groups (A and B). ANIMALS: Fifty-four client-owned dogs presented for treatment of GDV. METHODS: Dogs with acute GDV that had not previously had a gastropexy performed were included. The preoperative treatment before gastropexy was standardized. A CCGP was performed on dogs in group A, and a GCP was performed on dogs in group B. Postoperative treatment was standardized, but deviation did occur according to the special needs of particular patients. A minimal follow-up time of 180 days was required for dogs not excluded from the study. The median follow-up time in group A was 700 days; in group B, it was 400 days. The occurrence of abdominal pain and gastrointestinal problems after surgery were recorded by the owners. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate of GDV between the two groups. At the end of the study, the recurrence rate was 9% and 20% in group A and in group B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical techniques are effective in preventing recurrence of GDV.     

Surgical Treatment of Pheochromocytoma: Technique, Complications, and Results in Six Dogs

Six dogs were diagnosed with phcochromocyloma and staged according to the World Health Organization's system for tumor classification. Two dogs had benign tumors (Tl, NO, M0) and four dogs had malignant tumors (T2, NO. M 1 or T3, N0, M0). All dogs had adrenalectomy, two dogs had concurrent nephrectomy, and three dogs had concurrent resection of a tumor thrombus from the vena cava. Anesthetic complications occurred in five dogs, including wide variations in heart rate (four dogs), blood pressure (five dogs), and cardiac arrythmias (one dog). One dog died 12 hours after surgery from partial dehiscence of the suture line and hemorrhage from the vena cava, and one dog died 6 days after surgery during general anesthesia for treatment of laryngeal paralysis. Four dogs survived from 3 to 23 months (median, 15 months). One dog remained hypertensive after surgery. Benign and malignant pheochromocytomas seem to be amenable to surgical resection. © Copyright 1994 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons     

Gastric Myoelectric Activity after Experimental Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus and Tube Gastrostomy in Dogs

Gastric myoelectric activity was measured after experimental gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), GDV and tube gastrostomy, or tube gastrostomy in 12 dogs. Gastric myoelectric activity was recorded for 1 hour before (hour 0) and at hours 5, 24, 48, 72, and 96 after surgically induced GDV in six dogs. Three dogs with induced GDV and tube gastrostomy, and three dogs with tube gastrostomy only were also studied at hours 120, 144, and 168. The only significant change in the slow wave appearance or frequency from hours 0 to 48 was bradygastria at hour 5 in all three groups. A relative increase in the mean percentages of dysrhythmia from hours 72 to 168 in the dogs with a tube gastrostomy was caused by increases in tachygastria and arrhythmias. Dogs with GDV and tube gastrostomy had the greatest mean percentages of dysrhythmia, which were significantly more than those in dogs with GDV alone at hours 48, 72 and 96. The mean percentage of spike activity was less than or equal to 31 and varied widely. In general, there was less spike activity when the frequency of dysrhythmias was high. Thus, gastric myoelectric activity was disrupted from hours 48 to 168 after GDV with tube gastrostomy and after tube gastrostomy alone. Surgically induced GDV alone did not produce any significant or sustained dysrhythmias.     

Subtotal Intracapsular Prostatectomy Results in Normal Dogs

Subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy was performed on five normal dogs. All dogs were maintained for 60 days postoperatively. No urinary abnormalities were noted following surgery with the exception of transient urinary incontinence in one dog that lasted for 7 days. Upon termination of the study, the prostatic urethra had reepithelized in all dogs where a dorsal strip of epithelium was left in place during surgery.