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Biomedical subjects

K E Sullins

Publications and source records attributed to K E Sullins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effects of unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy in horses with laryngeal hemiplegia.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Recent studies have evaluated surgical techniques aimed at reducing noise and improving airway function in horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). These techniques require general anaesthesia and are invasive. A minimally invasive transnasal surgical technique for treatment of RLN that may be employed in the standing, sedated horse would be advantageous. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy (LVC) improves upper airway function and reduces noise during inhalation in exercising horses with laryngeal hemiplegia (LH). METHODS: Six Standardbred horses were used; respiratory sound and inspiratory transupper airway pressure (Pui) measured before and after induction of LH, and 60, 90 and 120 days after LVC. Inspiratory sound level (SL) and the sound intensities of formants 1, 2 and 3 (Fl, F2 and F3, respectively), were measured using computer-based sound analysis programmes. In addition, upper airway endoscopy was performed at each time interval, at rest and during treadmill exercise. RESULTS: In LH-affected horses, Pui, SL and the sound intensity of F2 and F3 were increased significantly from baseline values. At 60 days after LVC, Pui and SL had returned to baseline, and F2 and F3 values had improved partially compared to LH values. At 90 and 120 days, however, SL increased again to LH levels. CONCLUSIONS: LVC decreases LH-associated airway obstruction by 60 days after surgery, and reduces inspiratory noise but not as effectively as bilateral ventriculocordectomy. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: LVC may be recommended as a treatment of LH, where reduction of upper airway obstruction and respiratory noise is desired and the owner wishes to avoid risks associated with a laryngotomy incision or general anaesthesia.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Prevention of ischaemia-induced small intestinal adhesions in foals.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Treatments addressing variously theorised pathophysiological mechanisms of small intestinal adhesions have been reported. This study applied those classes of treatments to the most clinically relevant aetiology of post operative adhesions. HYPOTHESIS: Treatments addressing the pathophysiology of ischaemia-reperfusion induced adhesions would accordingly reduce the incidence of adhesions from this model. METHODS: Four classes of treatments were administered for 72 h to 16 foals subjected to complete ischaemia followed by reperfusion to create peritoneal adhesions. These groups were: 1) FPG group--flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg bwt i.v., divided q.i.d.), potassium penicillin G (22,000 iu/kg bwt i.v., q.i.d.) and gentamicin (2.2 mg/kg bwt i.v., t.i.d.); 2) HEP group--heparin (80 iu/kg bwt subcut., b.i.d.); 3) DMSO group--dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) (20 mg/kg bwt [diluted in 500 ml normal saline] i.v., b.i.d.); and 4) SCMC group--sodium carboxymethylcellulose (500 ml 3% sterile solution intraperitoneally, administered only at the beginning of surgery). RESULTS: Post operative intestinal obstruction did not occur in any foal. After 10 days, necropsy revealed bowel-to-bowel adhesions in none of the FPG or DMSO groups, in 2/4 of the SCMC group, in 3/4 of the HEP group and 5/6 foals subjected to the procedure without treatment (UIR group). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of the inflammation associated with ischaemia and reperfusion in foals treated with FPG or DMSO decreased small intestinal adhesions in foals. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Although anti-inflammatory therapy was shown to eliminate bowel-bowel adhesions in this controlled study, it must be remembered that clinical cases are without control. These therapies are advised to improve the result but are unlikely to eliminate the problem.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Arthroscopic removal of patellar fracture fragments in horses: five cases (1989-1998).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of arthroscopy as the primary method for removal of large patellar fracture fragments. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 5 performance horses of various breeds with patellar fractures. PROCEDURE: Clinical signs of lameness, external evidence of injury, and radiography were used to diagnose and determine fracture orientation. Arthroscopy of the stifle joint was performed on the affected limb with the horse positioned in dorsal recumbency and under general anesthesia. Progress after surgery was determined by evaluating medical records and via telephone conversations with owners. RESULTS: 4 of 5 horses had fractures of the medial aspect of the patella and 1 horse had a fracture of the lateral aspect of the patella. There were no postoperative complications with the joint or the arthroscopic portal incisions. Recovery periods ranged from 3 to 5 months. All horses recovered completely from surgery, and performed at the same or higher level of competition as before arthroscopy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Femoropatellar joint arthroscopy is a favorable means by which evaluation of the stifle joint and removal of large fracture fragments can be achieved with negligible postoperative complications.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Large colon resection for treatment of lymphosarcoma in two horses.

With the exception of lipoma, neoplasia of the gastrointestinal tract is rare in horses. Lymphosarcoma is the most common neoplasm of the hematopoietic system in horses. In horses with lymphosarcoma of the large colon, clinical signs may include intermittent signs of mild abdominal pain, weight loss, pyrexia, and pelvic flexure impaction caused by impingement of the colonic lumen by the mass. Peritoneal fluid analysis may be normal or have a high total protein concentration. If signs of metastasis are not evident, resection of the large colon affected by the mass may prolong survival.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Radiographic and arthroscopic findings associated with subchondral lucency of the distal radial carpal bone in 71 horses.

Case records and radiographs of 71 horses with subchondral lucency, without radiographic evidence of fracture, located on the distal radial carpal bone were examined retrospectively. All horses had lameness and/or joint effusion referable to the carpus. Distal radial carpal bone subchondral lucency was found as a solitary lesion or as a lesion concurrent and symmetric to a contralateral distal radial carpal bone chip fracture. The lesion appeared radiographically as a lucency or shadow on the distal dorsal margin of the radial carpal bone and was most evident on the flexed lateromedial and dorsolateral-palmaromedial oblique projections. Sixty-four joints in 55 horses underwent arthroscopic surgery. Surgical findings included osteochondral fragmentation in 44 joints, cartilage fragmentation with subchondral bone softening in 17 joints and cartilage fraying in 3 joints. Corresponding third carpal bone lesions were observed in 18 joints and moderate to severe synovitis was present in 24 joints. Carpal bone subchondral radiolucency without a fracture fragment observed on radiographs indicated cartilage and bone damage. In some cases, small chip fractures (1-2 mm) were present within the cartilage debris examined at surgery, yet were not radiographically visible. Follow-up information was obtained on 50 of the operated horses and 14 nonoperated horses. Forty (80%) of the surgically treated horses returned to racing, with 34 (68%) of these horses (20 of 26 with subchondral lucency as a solitary lesion) racing at a level of competition equal to or better than the pre-injury level. Of the 14 horses which were not operated, 6 (42%) returned to racing of which only 2 (14%) raced at the same pre-injury level of competition. Radiographic evidence of radial or intermediate carpal bone subchondral lucency is an indication of cartilage and bone damage which is best treated with arthroscopic surgery.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Microvascular permeability and endothelial cell morphology associated with low-flow ischemia/reperfusion injury in the equine jejunum.

Microvascular permeability of the jejunum of clinically normal equids and microvascular permeability associated with 60 minutes of ischemia (25% baseline blood flow) and subsequent reperfusion were investigated. Eight adult horses were randomly allotted to 2 equal groups: normal and ischemic/reperfusion injury. Lymphatic flow rates, mesenteric blood flow, and lymph and plasma protein concentrations were determined at 15-minute intervals throughout the study. Microvascular permeability was determined by estimates of the osmotic reflection coefficient, which was determined when the ratio of lymphatic protein to plasma protein concentration reached a constant minimal value as lymph flow rate increased (filtration-independent lymph flow rate), which occurred at venous pressure of 30 mm of Hg. Full-thickness jejunal biopsy specimens were obtained at the beginning and end of each experiment, and were prepared for light microscopy to estimate tissue volume (edema) and for transmission electron microscopy to evaluate capillary endothelial cell morphology. The osmotic reflection coefficient for normal equine jejunum was 0.19 +/- 0.06, and increased significantly (P < or = 0.0001) to 0.48 +/- 0.05 after the ischemia/reperfusion period. Microscopic evaluation revealed a significant increase (P < or = 0.0001) in submucosal and serosal volume and capillary endothelial cell damage in horses that underwent ischemia/reperfusion injury. Results indicate that ischemia/reperfusion of the equine jejunum caused a significant increase in microvascular permeability.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1993

Removal of a fracture fragment from the palmar aspect of the intermediate carpal bone in a horse.

A 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding sustained a fracture of the palmar tuberosity of the intermediate carpal bone 2 weeks prior to admission. The dorsolateral-palmaromedial oblique and flexed lateromedial radiographic views revealed the fracture line. The palmar fracture fragment from the intermediate carpal bone was removed by arthrotomy of the palmar intercarpal joint, which was approached through the carpal canal. Twenty months after surgery, the horse was show jumping without evidence of lameness.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of the microcirculation of the equine small intestine after intraluminal distention and subsequent decompression.

Effects of intraluminal distention (25 cm of H2O, 120 minutes) and subsequent decompression (60 minutes) on intramural vascular patterns of the small intestine was evaluated in 7 anesthetized horses. Intraluminal distention (25 cm of H2O, 120 minutes) was created in 2 jejunal segments in each horse. Experimental and control segments were removed either immediately after the experimental period or after 60 minutes of decompression. The vascular system of experimental and control jejunal segments was lavaged with NaCl, then was injected with a blue-colored radiopaque medium for microangiography or with a diluted methyl methacrylate for scanning electron microscopy of microcorrosion vascular casts. After angiographic evaluation, tissue sections were prepared for light microscopic evaluation to assess vascular filling and tissue morphology. The distended segments had short villi, which were separated by expanded crypts, and had mesothelial cell loss, neutrophil infiltration, and edema in the seromuscular layer. The number of perfused vessels was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the seromuscular layer and, to a lesser extent, in the mucosal layer of the distended segments, compared with controls. After decompression, the morphologic lesions progressed in mucosal and serosal layers and the number of observed vessels increased in all intramural layers; however, vascular density did not return to the predistention state. These results identify altered intramural vascular patterns in the equine jejunum during luminal distention and subsequent decompression.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of the microcirculation of the equine jejunum and ascending colon after ischemia and reperfusion.

Intramural vascular patterns of the jejunum and colon were evaluated during ischemic strangulation obstruction (ISO, 70 minutes) and subsequent reperfusion (60 minutes) in 7 adult anesthetized horses. Microvasculature of experimental and control segments was described by comparison of results from microangiography, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy of vascular replicas. Experimental and control segments with isolated vascular arcades were removed either immediately after the experimental period or after 60 minutes of reperfusion. Blood was flushed from the vascular system by use of isotonic NaCl, and the segments were divided. Half of each segment was perfused with a modified radiopaque medium for microangiographic evaluation, and half was perfused with dilute methyl-methacrylate to create a vascular replica to be studied by scanning electron microscopy. Microangiographic section also were evaluated for histologic changes. Microvasculature of jejunal control segments and all colon segments was similar to described normal microvasculature of the equine jejunum and ascending colon. In jejunal ISO segments, intramural perfusion was redistributed away from the mucosa. In the villi, the central arteriole was short and convoluted and the subepithelial capillaries were not filled. The submucosal vessels and crypt capillaries were congested, compared with those of controls, and the serosal vessels were not filled in the ischemic segments. Histologic grade II-III mucosal lesion was seen in jejunal ISO segments. Reperfused jejunal segments had a transmural hyperemic response, and previously unfilled capillaries were observed in all intestinal layers. After reperfusion, the mucosal lesion progressed to grade III-IV and a cellular infiltrate and edema formation were observed in the serosa. The intramural vasculature of the ischemic and reperfused colon remain unchanged. Minimal histologic damage was observed in the colon after 70 minutes of ISO or after 60 minutes of reperfusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Healing of full-thickness cartilage compared with full-thickness cartilage and subchondral bone defects in the equine third carpal bone.

The effect of lesion depth on the quality of third carpal bone cartilage repair was examined. A 1-cm diameter articular defect penetrating the calcified cartilage in one limb and the subchondral bone plate in the opposite limb was created in the radial facet of the third carpal bones. Clinical and xeroradiographic examinations were performed every 4 weeks until 4 months (3 horses) and 6 months (3 horses) after surgery. The synovial membrane, non-opposing articular surfaces and articular defects were examined grossly, histologically and histochemically. Grossly, deeper defects contained thicker, whiter tissue, but both joints contained generalised degenerative changes. Defects extending through calcified cartilage were filled deeply by fibrocartilage and superficially by fibrous connective tissue. Defects extending through subchondral bone were consistently filled with hyaline-like cartilage in the depths of the lesion, fibrocartilage in the intermediate layer and fibrous connective tissue superficially. The results indicate that subchondral bone is the source of hyaline-like cartilage repair tissue and suggest that quality of healing of cartilage defects may be improved by penetrating the subchondral bone plate. It also appears that the synovitis associated with the procedure must be controlled before the procedure can be advocated for treatment of clinical cases.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of two grafting methods in 4.0-mm drill defects in the third metacarpal bone of horses.

In 6 horses, bilateral metacarpal vertical series of three 4.0-mm unicortical drill holes were made. At random, one of each series of 3 holes was filled using a sternal 4.0-mm cancellous bone cylinder or a slurry of cancellous bone injected into the hole or left as an empty control. All horses had lateral metacarpal xeroradiographs at monthly intervals. Three horses (6 metacarpi) were examined post mortem after 4 months and 3 others after 6 months. Immediate through 4-month post-operative xeroradiographs demonstrated increased density in the holes with cancellous cylinders and no difference could be seen between the untreated controls and holes injected with slurry. From 5 months, no radiographic difference could be seen between the treatment groups. No consistent histological difference between treatment groups could be detected. In conclusion, no justification for clinical grafting of 4.0-mm unicortical dorsal metacarpal drill holes could be found.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Follow-up of 28 horses with third metacarpal unicortical stress fractures following treatment with osteostixis.

The results of 31 intracortical dorsal metacarpal stress fractures in 28 horses following unicortical osteostixis were reviewed. The incidence was predominately in the middle third of the lateral aspect of the left metacarpus, and males were affected more commonly. Approximately half of the surgical procedures were performed with the horse in the standing position. The mean times to return to training and racing were 4.25 and 6.9 months respectively. There was no correlation between time taken to return to racing and position of surgery. Complications experienced included lack of suture removal and one case with a seroma.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of sodium hyaluronate therapy in induced septic arthritis in the horse.

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate (SH) with antibiotic therapy and joint lavage for reducing acute inflammatory and degenerative changes induced by septic arthritis. Septic arthritis was induced in six adult horses by inoculating the tarsocrural joints with 1 x 10(4) colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus. When clinical signs appeared, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (30 mg/kg bodyweight [bwt] daily) and phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg bwt sid) were administered and continued until termination of the study (Treatment Day 18). Twenty-four hours post inoculation, all joints were lavaged with sterile lactated Ringer's solution. Following lavage, one joint of each horse was injected with 10 mg of SH, and the contralateral joint served as the control. Sodium hyaluronate treated joints showed significant reductions in lameness, tarsal circumference and synovial fluid protein and WBC concentrations. The synovial membrane of the SH-treated joints contained less cellular infiltrate, less granulation tissue formation and retained a more normal villous structure compared with controls. The total glycosaminoglycan loss from the articular cartilage in the SH treated joints was consistently less than that from the control joints; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Sodium hyaluronate with joint lavage appears to be more beneficial than lavage alone for treatment of septic arthritis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Standing endoscopic electrosurgery.

Common equine upper respiratory conditions are diagnosed via endoscopy. Endoscopic surgery facilitates correction of many conditions without general anesthesia or laryngotomy, reducing the morbidity and cost of the procedures. Modalities of endoscopic surgery include the Nd-YAG laser or electrosurgery, which may be complementary. The least expensive method is electrosurgery, and instruments are available that can be passed through the biopsy channel of the endoscope. Conditions amenable to such procedures include entrapped epiglottis, rostral displacement of the palatopharyngeal arch, pharyngeal cysts or polyps, retropharyngeal abscesses within the guttural pouch, guttural pouch tympany, and ethmoid hematoma.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Standing musculoskeletal surgery.

Indications for performing orthopedic surgery on the standing horse include inability to tolerate general anesthesia, risk of worsening an injury during recovery from anesthesia, and cost. The surgeon should be aware that performing surgery in the standing horse can be more demanding and require more experience than the same procedures when the time and convenience of general anesthesia are available. Improved sedatives and analgesics have allowed more latitude because the horses now are more tolerant than when older agents were used. Common sense should be applied to each situation before the decision is made to do a procedure, because every horse and problem is unique.

Animals↗