Biocompatibility of allogenic canine fascia lata: In vitro evaluation and small case series

Long-term outcome of autologous fascia lata grafting with conjunctival flap overlay in horses with ulcerative keratitis and keratomalacia

OBJECTIVES

To describe the technique, postoperative complications, and outcome after autologous fascia lata grafting with conjunctival flap overlay in horses with ulcerative keratitis and keratomalacia.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS

Eleven horses with ulcerative keratitis and keratomalacia.

METHODS

Horses included had undergone fascia lata grafting with conjunctival flap overlay due to impending or recent corneal perforation. Preceding therapy, lesion characteristics, postoperative complications, and short- and long-term outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications included complete (1/11) or partial (2/11) dehiscence of the conjunctival flap and fascia lata graft, postoperative pneumonia (1/11), intermittent hypercreatinemia (2/11) and mild uveitis after trimming of the conjunctival flap (9/10). The donor sites healed without complications (11/11). A satisfactory short-term outcome (at cessation of medical therapy) was achieved in all horses (11/11). Long-term follow-up (median 29 months, range 7-127 months) was available for 10/11 horses. A comfortable eye with functional vision was achieved in 9/10 horses with long-term follow-up, including 3/4 horses with prior corneal perforation and 1/11 horses in which the fascia lata graft completely dehisced 15 days after surgery. Enucleation was required in a single horse (1/10) after phthisis bulbi developed 7 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Fascia lata grafting with conjunctival flap overlay appears to be a viable solution for globe preservation in horses with ulcerative keratitis and keratomalacia. Long-term ocular comfort with functional visual outcomes can be achieved in most cases with limited concerns for donor site morbidity while bypassing acquisition, storage or lesion-size limitations related to other biomaterials.

Perineal herniorrhaphy with pedunculated tunica vaginalis communis in dogs: Description of the technique and clinical case series

Background

Perineal hernia (PH) in dogs is caused by the separation of the anal septal muscles and the displacement of pelvic/abdominal organs under the perineal skin. Reconstruction of the pelvic septum by surgical repositioning is the only curative treatment.

Objectives

To describe the procedure and outcomes of surgical repair using the pedunculated tunica vaginalis communis (TVC) for PH in dogs.

Methods

Intact male dogs diagnosed with PH were included in this study. For surgery, each dog was positioned in the Trendelenburg position. Castration was performed with the open technique, followed by colopexy and cystopexy via laparotomy. The remaining bilateral TVCs transposed to the opening of PH were used for the perineal herniorrhaphy. Intraoperative findings, complications, and outcomes were evaluated and recorded.

Results

Eight dogs [median age 10.5 years (range, 9–13 years); median body weight 4.9 kg (range, 1.6–12.3 kg)] were treated using the TVC surgical technique. Perineal herniorrhaphy with the TVC was feasible in all dogs. The median operation time was 105.5 min (range, 46–149 min) in unilateral PH, and 92 and 122 min in two dogs with bilateral PH. Short-term postoperative complications during hospitalization did not occur in six dogs, whereas the residual two dogs had a temporary local infection as a minor complication. Postoperative recurrence occurred in one dog (13%) on postoperative day 136.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the herniorrhaphy technique using the pedunculated TVC is an alternative option for the repair of PH in dogs.

Perineal hernia repair in dorsal recumbency in 23 dogs: Description of technique, complications, and outcome

OBJECTIVE

To describe repair of perineal hernias in dogs positioned in dorsal recumbency.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Twenty-three dogs with perineal hernias treated by herniorrhaphy, with or without adjunctive procedures.

METHODS

Medical records from 2016 to 2020 were reviewed for technique description and animal outcomes, and owners and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow-up information.

RESULTS

Internal obturator muscle transposition (IOMT) was performed in 22 dogs, and polypropylene mesh repair was performed in one dog. Transection of the internal obturator tendon was feasible in all dogs undergoing IOMT. Eighteen dogs underwent abdominal pexy procedures, castration, or both during the same anesthetic period. No intraoperative complications were noted. Postoperative complications were noted in the hospital in 14 dogs and after release in 11. Incisional infection/drainage and persistent urinary incontinence were reported in four and two dogs, respectively. Hernias reoccurred in four dogs and tended to be more common in dogs that had undergone previous herniorrhaphies (p = .053). Recurrence rates were lowest in dogs that had no prior hernia repair or organ pexy (p = .035).

CONCLUSION

Perineal hernia repair was feasible in dorsal recumbency. Complication and recurrence rates of perineal herniorrhaphy in dorsal recumbency were similar to those reported for dogs undergoing the procedure in sternal recumbency.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Positioning of patients for perineal hernia repair can be dictated by surgeon preference. Perineal hernia repair in dorsal recumbency allows a single-stage abdominal and perineal approach without repositioning.

Application of a bilateral temporal fascia free graft in a dog with multifragmented frontal sinus and nasal bone fracture

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of temporal fascia free grafts to treat dorsal open comminuted frontal sinus and nasal fractures.

ANIMAL

One Belgian shepherd dog.

STUDY DESIGN

Case report METHODS: A 5-year-old spayed female Belgian shepherd was admitted with severe facial deformation due to trauma. A deep, 3 cm wide wound was present between the nose and the frontal sinus. No abnormalities were detected on neurological examination. On computed tomographic examination, comminuted open fractures of the frontal and nasal bones were associated with a severe depression of the dorsal wall and presence of bone fragments in the sinus cavities. Bone fragments were apposed with polydioxanone monofilament suture. Bilateral temporal fascia grafts were placed over the bone fragments.

RESULTS

The integrity of the frontal and nasal cavities, and the facial profile of the dog were restored. No short-term or long-term complications were observed after 4 months follow up.

CONCLUSION

The innovative combination of suture apposition of bone fragments and a temporal fascia free graft resulted in very satisfying long-term outcomes in a dog with open sinus and nasal bone fractures.