Comparison of Adhesive Polyurethane Membrane and Polypropylene Sutures for Closure of Skin Incisions in Cats

Paired skin incisions were made on each side of four cats and closed with either interrupted polypropylene sutures or adhesive polyurethane membrane. The healing of these wounds was compared by gross appearance, break strength determination, and histologic examination. The adhesive polyurethane membranes were quicker and easier to apply, producing a more uniform closure than sutures both clinically and histologically. They adhered strongly to the skin, supporting more wound length than sutures for the first 7 days. There were no differences in break strength between closure techniques. Histologically, the wounds closed with adhesive polyurethane membrane were characterized by a milder inflammatory reaction and greater vascular infiltration than sutured wounds, especially early in the healing period.     

Comparison of Stainless Steel Fascial Staples and Polypropylene Suture Material for Closure of the Linea Alba in Dogs

Five centimeter segments of the linea alba in mature, female, mixed breed dogs were incised and then approximated with either stainless steel fascial staples or size 0 polypropylene suture material. Breaking strength of the linea alba closures was determined at 0 (Phase I, 18 dogs) and at 7,14, and 31 days (Phase II, 18 dogs). Histology and videointeractive planar morphometry were used to evaluate healing of the linea alba. Breaking strength and histologic and morphometric variables were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance in a split plot design. In a clinical trial, 20 cm linea alba incisions were approximated with stainless steel fascial staples after elective ovariohysterectomy in mature, female, mixed breed dogs (Phase III, eight dogs). The dogs were evaluated at 1, 2, 7,14, 31, 90, and 180 days. Linea alba incisions approximated with polypropylene suture material were significantly stronger than linea alba incisions approximated with stainless steel fascial staples on day 0. There was no significant difference between breaking strength values, histologic, and morphometric appearance of linea alba incisions closed with stainless steel fascial staples or polypropylene suture material when compared 7,14, and 31 days after surgery. All of the dogs in the clinical trial appeared to be normal at all evaluation times. Approximation of linea alba incisions with stainless steel fascial staples compares favorably to closure with a simple continuous pattern of polypropylene suture material with regard to breaking strength, clinical, histologic, and morphometric appearance.     

Fibronectin Concentrations in Pleural and Abdominal Effusions in Dogs and Cats

A commercial nephelometric test kit for human fibronectin (FN) was found suitable for the estimation if fibronectin concentration in body effusions of cats and dogs. The FN measurements were set in relation to the FN concentration of plasma pools in cats and dogs. A discrimination line of 31.5% completely separated malignant from cardiogenic pleural effusions in cats. For the diagnosis of a malignant pleural effusion, sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 57%. Pleuritis also resulted in high FN concentrations. The FN concentration in malignant pleural effusions in dogs differed significantly ( P < .02) from that in cardiogenic effusions. There were no clinically useful differences in the FN concentration in peritoneal effusions in cats and dogs. The FN/albumin ratio was significantly higher ( P < .02) in dogs with neoplastic abdominal effusion than in those with congestive heart failure.     

Lung Resection Using Surgical Staples in Dogs and Cats

Thirty seven dogs and cats were subjected to lobectomy, partial lobectomy, or pneumonectomy using stapling equipment. The most common indication was neoplasia. No operative, perioperative, or long-term deaths could be attributed to the use of staples: complications were minimal. Staple resection was believed to be safe, fast, and efficient for removal of various segments of canine and feline lung.     

Effect of Fascial Closure Technique on Strength of Healing Abdominal Incisions in the Dog A Biomechanical Study

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.     

Healing of Sharp Incisions and Electroincisions in Dogs: A Comparative Study

Healing of incisions made by sharp blade and of those made by electroincision was compared. The electrosurgical unit used generated a wave form that closely resembled a square wave. Six paired incisions were made in the skin and external abdominal muscle fascia of 8 dogs by sharp blade and electroincision, and were sutured. One pair of incisions was made every other day in each dog; fascia and skin were examined at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days after incision. The presence of certain microscopic features was graded on an arbitrary scale of 0, 1, 2, and 3 for none, slight, moderate, and heavy, respectively; the grades were then averaged and compared. No differences were observed in the quantity of hemorrhage, capillaries, fibroblasts, and collagen and mature fibroblasts. More fibrin, necrosis, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were observed following electroincision at 4, 6, 12, and 8 to 10 days, respectively. Considerably more edema was present following sharp incision from 4 to 12 days. The strength of wounds made by sharp incision was greater than the strength of those made by electroincision after day 6, but the two were almost identical by day 12. The data suggest that suture removal should be delayed until the 10th postoperative day, approximately 3 days later than is advised for sharp incision.     

Open Abdominal Drainage in the Treatment of Generalized Peritonitis in 25 Dogs and Cats

The case records of 20 dogs and 5 cats that were managed by open peritoneal drainage for generalized peritonitis were reviewed. Although the underlying causes varied, diffuse septic peritonitis was present in all animals. The abdominal incision was closed loosely at the time of the first surgical procedure, and a sterile abdominal wrap was maintained throughout the postoperative period. The abdomen was closed completely in a second surgical procedure performed 2 to 9 days later.
The overall mortality rate was 48%. Most deaths occurred before secondary closure of the abdomen was performed. Complications of open peritoneal drainage were hypopro-teinemia and nosocomial contamination.     

Gonadectomy in Cats and Dogs: A Review of Risks and Benefits

The necessity, and in particular the timing, of gonadectomy in dogs and cats is still controversial. This is mainly because gonadectomy confers a mixture of benefits and adverse effects that depend upon the age at neutering, sex, species and breed. In this paper, the long-term risks and benefits of gonadectomy, at various ages, in dogs and cats are reviewed using data describing the effects of desexing on the urogenital tract and on other medical conditions, such as orthopaedic diseases, immune-mediated diseases, tumour development and behaviour.     

Primary Closure of Equine Laryngotomy Incisions: A Review of 42 Cases

Laryngotomy incisions for either staphylectomy, ventriculectomy, cordectomy, resection of the palatopharyngeal arch, or subepiglottal cyst removal, were closed primarily in 42 horses. Incisional complications were subcutaneous emphysema (11 horses, 26%), incisional discharge (4 horses, 10%), postoperative fever (4 horses, 10%), incisional abscessation (3 horses, 7%), incisional seroma (2 horses, 5%), and subcutaneous edema (2 horses, 5%). Incisional complications were identified in 22 horses, but only 8 horses (19%) required intervention for incisional healing to occur. Factors such as preoperative and postoperative administration of antibiotics or nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, use of antibiotic lavage or drains, type of suture material and suture pattern, were not significantly associated with incisional complications. Horses with incisional complications had significantly shorter mean surgical time ( P =.011) than horses without incisional complications. Surgical experience was associated with fewer complications ( P =.018), but had no significant effect on the frequency of complications requiring intervention. Results of this study indicate that equine laryngotomy incisions can be closed primarily and that most will heal without need for further surgical intervention.     

Replacement of the Medial Collateral Ligament with Polypropylene Mesh or a Polyester Suture in Dogs

The medial collateral ligament of one stifle in 20 adult dogs was excised and replaced with polypropylene mesh or a polyester suture. After 26 weeks, the fibrous tissue-prosthesis composites were evaluated clinically, morphologically, and biomechanically. Clinical lameness was not significantly different after 10 days. The polypropylene mesh reconstructions consistently had more fibrous tissue and greater collagenous ingrowth than the polyester suture reconstructions. There were four complications related to fixation of the polypropylene mesh prosthesis and one to the polyester suture. The polypropylene mesh reconstructions had greater stability and were biomechanically more similar to the natural ligaments than the polyester suture reconstructions. Although the results with polypropylene mesh were favorable, more challenging biomechanical testing and alternative anchoring techniques are required before polypropylene mesh can be recommended as a collateral ligament replacement in dogs.