Urinary diversion by transplantation of both ureters into a reservoir constructed from 60 cm of jejunum was performed in six clinically normal dogs. The reservoir was connected to a stoma on the abdominal wall through a valve constructed from a short segment of intussuscepted bowel to provide continence. The reservoir was emptied three times daily by catheterization. One dog did not survive the surgical procedure and two dogs died within 1 week of surgical complications. The postoperative capacity of the reservoir in surviving dogs was 100 to 200 mL; it increased during the first month to 600 to 750 mL. Continence was excellent in two dogs. One dog was continent until month 2, when partial slippage of the intussusception occurred. A reversible hyponatremic, hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic acidosis developed. Bacteriuria was not responsive to systemic or local instillation of antibiotics. Ascending pyelonephritis, hydroureter, and hydronephrosis occurred in two dogs. Struvite urinary calculi formed in one dog. The procedure as described would be unsuitable for clinical use in dogs.

Acidosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical reconstruction of partial circumferential esophageal defect in the dog.

Partial circumferential reconstruction of the cervical esophagus was evaluated in the dog. An esophageal defect 5.85 +/- 1.15 cm in length involving one-half of the circumference was repaired by direct closure (group I), using longus colli muscle patch grafts (group II), and using grafts of longus colli muscle lined with buccal mucosa (group III). The incidence of leakage, fistula formation, luminal stricture, peristalsis disturbance, lining loss, the quality of surface restoration, bursting strength, and wound healing were evaluated. No fistula formation or leakage was observed in any animal. Direct closure of the defect was easier to perform, led to less inflammatory reaction, and resulted in the highest bursting strength. However, this method was associated with luminal stricture and swallowing difficulties. The longus colli muscle patch grafts (group II) were associated with a slight to moderate luminal stricture, but had more inflammatory reaction and graft surface area contraction (62%) compared to group III. The longus colli muscle lined with buccal mucosa caused no stricture and slight surface area contraction (8%). Mucosal grafts remained viable and no lining loss was observed. Despite the loss of peristalsis at the level of the graft in 25% of the group III dogs, no clinical signs or swallowing difficulties were observed.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Replacement of the cervical and thoracic esophagus in dog using free jejunal autografts.

Free revascularized jejunal grafts based on a single branch of the mesenteric artery and vein were selected and used for replacement of the cervical esophagus in 20 dogs. The graft pedicle was transplanted to the left external jugular vein and the internal carotid artery using end-to-side microvascular anastomoses. The procedure was successful in all the dogs; however, five dogs had fistula formation that healed spontaneously. A similar jejunal autograft was used to replace the thoracic esophagus in 20 dogs. The recipient vessels were the internal thoracic artery and vein. Only four dogs survived. Thirteen dogs could not survive because of infection resulting from leakage of esophageal content from the esophagojejunal anastomoses into the thoracic cavity. Only two dogs had infarcted jejunal grafts. The four surviving dogs could swallow liquid and semisolid food but they never returned to solid food because of difficulties with swallowing. Graft survival was confirmed with endoscopy and arterial angiography. Narrowed jejunal graft lumen was apparent with contrast radiography and endoscopy. The jejunal grafts kept peristalsis and contracted in coordinated fashion with the proximal esophagus. At necropsy, wound healing was evaluated using bursting strength and bursting circular wall tension. Although slight adhesion and fibrosis around the grafts as well as slight inflammatory reaction around the suture material were observed, the jejunal grafts were grossly and microscopically normal. All esophagojejunal anastomoses healed and the jejunal mucosa looked normal.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The use of a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog as a gastric protectant against aspirin-induced hemorrhage in the dog.

Misoprostol prevented gastric hemorrhage in dogs, each of which received aspirin (35 mg/kg body weight, orally q 8 hrs for 10 days). All dogs receiving aspirin alone had gastroscopic and histopathological lesions. No lesions were noted in four of five dogs given aspirin plus misoprostol (15 micrograms/kg body weight, q 8 hrs for five days; then 7.5 micrograms/kg body weight, q 8 hrs for five days). Four of 10 dogs receiving 15 micrograms/kg body weight of misoprostol developed diarrhea. The misoprostol dose was reduced to 7.5 micrograms/kg body weight, and the diarrhea subsided.

Alprostadil↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Limited approach to the right flank for placement of a duodenostomy tube.

A new enterostomy tube placement technique is described for provision of nutrients into the duodenum. Placement of the duodenostomy tube (d-tube) is performed through a limited right flank approach under sedation and local anesthesia. Seven client-owned animals (three dogs and four cats) requiring enteral nutritional support were selected for d-tube placement. Patients were fed via the d-tube for two to 28 days. Complications included discomfort when manipulating and exteriorizing the duodenum, discomfort with bolus feedings, local cellulitis, and tube site infection. All complications resolved without further incident. This technique should be considered in patients that are not good candidates for prolonged general anesthesia or esophageal or gastric feeding, or patients being mechanically ventilated.

Animals↗