Combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy in dogs susceptible to gastric dilatation-volvulus

This prospective study describes a simple method of combining laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted prophylactic gastropexy and determines the duration of surgery, complications, and long-term outcome including prevention of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy were performed on 26 sexually intact female dogs susceptible to GDV. The mean surgery time was 60.8 ± 12.4 min. No GDV episode was seen during the study period (mean follow-up: 5.2 ± 1.4 y). All dogs had an intact gastropexy attachment assessed by ultrasonography at 1 y. Post-operative complications were minor and owners were satisfied with the procedure. Combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic- assisted gastropexy appears to be a successful and low morbidity alternative procedure to both ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy and gastropexy via open ventral-midline laparotomy.     

Combined laparoscopic ovariectomy and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy utilizing a 2-port technique in 10 dogs

A case series was selected retrospectively to evaluate the technique, outcome, and short-term complications associated with a combined laparoscopic ovariectomy (Lap OVX) and laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy (LAG) using a 2-port technique, and to compare it with previously published combined laparoscopic techniques for Lap OVX and LAG in dogs. Medical records of dogs undergoing elective, combined Lap OVX and LAG performed using a 2-port technique between 2017 and 2019 were reviewed. Total surgical time was compared to previously published combined Lap OVX and LAG techniques in dogs. Intraoperative and short-term complications were recorded. Ten dogs [median weight: 29.4 kg (range: 11.4 to 84.1 kg); mean: 37.4] met the inclusion criteria. Median surgical time to complete both the Lap OVX and LAG was 72.5 minutes (range: 47.0 to 120.0 minutes; mean: 77.4 minutes), which was not significantly different than that described in previous studies of combined Lap OVX and LAG (weighted mean average: 67.3 minutes; 95% confidence interval: 46.9 to 87.7, P = 0.3). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. It is concluded that a 2-port technique for combined Lap OVX and LAG is feasible, has few complications, and requires similar time to perform compared to other previously published laparoscopic techniques.     

Gabapentin as an adjuvant for postoperative pain management in dogs undergoing mastectomy

This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of gabapentin as an adjuvant for postoperative pain management in dogs. Twenty dogs undergoing mastectomy were randomized to receive perioperative oral placebo or gabapentin (10 mg/kg). All dogs were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine (0.03 mg/kg) and morphine (0.3 mg/ kg). Anesthesia was induced with propofol (4 mg/kg) intravenously and maintained with isoflurane. Intravenous meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) was administered preoperatively. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated for 72 hr. Rescue analgesia was provided with intramuscular morphine (0.5 mg/kg). Dogs in the Placebo group received significantly more morphine doses than the Gabapentin group (P=0.021), despite no significant differences in pain scores. Perioperative gabapentin reduced the postoperative morphine requirements in dogs after mastectomy.     

Pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine following constant rate infusion for postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariectomy

Objective

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine and its main active metabolite, norbuprenorphine, after administration of an intravenous loading dose followed by constant rate infusion (CRI) in dogs.

Intraoperative pain responses following intraovarian versus mesovarian injection of lidocaine in mares undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraoperative pain responses following intraovarian versus mesovarian injection of lidocaine in mares undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 15 mares between 4 and 20 years old. PROCEDURE: Standard bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy was performed. Prior to manipulation of the ovary, 2% lidocaine (10 mL) was injected into the ovary and saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (10 mL) was injected into the mesovarium on 1 side, with saline solution (10 mL) injected into the ovary and 2% lidocaine (10 mL) injected into the mesovarium on the other side. Presence (yes vs no) and severity (visual analogue scale) of pain were scored at 5 times (grasping of the ovary, dissection of the mesosalpinx, tightening of the first loop ligature, tightening of the second loop ligature, and transection of the ovarian pedicle) by 2 individuals blinded to treatment and each other's observations. RESULTS: During 4 of the 5 observation periods, significantly fewer mares had signs of pain following mesovarian injection of lidocaine, and during 2 of the 5 observation periods, visual analogue scale score was significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that mesovarian injection of lidocaine is associated with significantly lower pain responses, compared with intraovarian injection, in horses undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy.     

Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture for postoperative pain management in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy

Objective

To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA) as an adjuvant for postoperative pain management in cats.

Cardiopulmonary measurements in dogs undergoing gastropexy without gastrectomy for correction of gastric dilatation-volvulus.

OBJECTIVE: To measure cardiopulmonary variables, including cardiac index, in dogs with naturally acquired gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 6 dogs with GDV. PROCEDURE: In addition to typical medical and surgical management of GDV, the dorsal metatarsal and pulmonary arteries and right atrium of the dogs were catheterized to obtain cardiopulmonary measurements before and during anesthesia and surgery. RESULTS: All dogs underwent gastropexy but none required gastrectomy. Mean cardiac index and mean arterial blood pressure for this small population of dogs with GDV were not significantly different from those reported for clinically normal awake or anesthetized dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs with naturally acquired GDV without gastric necrosis may not have the classic characteristics, including decreased cardiac index and hypotension, of hypovolemic circulatory shock.     

Removal of cystic calculi using a transinguinal laparoscopic‐assisted technique in two stallions

A 12‐year‐old donkey and a 6‐year‐old Connemara pony, both sexually intact males, were admitted for surgical removal of urinary calculi. Both underwent a laparoscopic‐assisted cystotomy technique to exteriorise the bladder and remove uroliths via the inguinal canal after hemi‐castration. Both surgeries were successful and no complications occurred. This modified technique, which is minimally invasive, may be a safe and efficient way to remove bladder stones from adult stallions.     

Efficacy of tramadol for postoperative pain management in dogs: systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the evidence of analgesic efficacy of tramadol for the management of postoperative pain and the presence of associated adverse events in dogs.Databases usedA comprehensive search using PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, Google Scholar and CAB databases with no restrictions on language and following a prespecified protocol was performed from June 2019 to July 2020. Included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed in dogs that had undergone general anesthesia for any type of surgery. Two authors independently classified the studies, extracted data and assessed their risk of bias using Cochrane’s tool. RevMan and GRADE methods were used to rate the certainty of evidence (CoE).ConclusionsOverall 26 RCTs involving 848 dogs were included. Tramadol administration probably results in a lower need for rescue analgesia versus no treatment or placebo [moderate CoE; relative risk (RR): 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26–0.85; I² = 0%], and may result in a lower need for rescue analgesia versus buprenorphine (low CoE; RR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.20–1.24), codeine (low CoE; RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.16–3.41) and nalbuphine (low CoE; RR: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.00–0.72). However, tramadol administration may result in an increased requirement for rescue analgesia versus methadone (low CoE; RR: 3.45; 95% CI: 0.66–18.08; I² = 43%) and COX inhibitors (low CoE; RR: 2.27; 95% CI: 0.68–7.60; I² = 45%). Compared with multimodal therapy, tramadol administration may make minimal to no difference in the requirement for rescue analgesia (low CoE; RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.48–2.60; I² = 0%). Adverse events were inconsistently reported and the CoE was very low. The overall CoE of the analgesic efficacy of tramadol for postoperative pain management in dogs was low or very low, and the main reasons for downgrading the evidence were risk of bias and imprecision.