Objective To compare 4 techniques for pelvic flexure enterotomy closure in horses. Study Design Ex‐vivo study. Sample Population Cadaveric ascending colon specimens (n = 48 horses). Methods Pelvic flexure enterotomies of different lengths (5 cm, 10 cm) were performed and closed with 1 of 4 techniques: handsewn 2 layer (HS2); handsewn 1 layer (HS1); skin staples (SKS); or TA90 stapling device (TA90). Time to close each enterotomy, bursting pressure, luminal reduction, and cost were calculated and compared. Results HS2 was significantly more time consuming to perform in the 5 cm group whereas in the 10 cm group, only the HS1 and SKS were faster than the other techniques. Luminal reduction was not different between techniques in either group. HS2 resulted in consistently higher bursting pressure compared with SKS and TA90 in the 5 cm group and compared to all other techniques in the 10 cm group. Conclusion The TA90 technique had the lowest bursting pressure and highest cost. The HS2 technique was strongest.

BackgroundHoney, alone or in combination, has been used for wound healing since ancient times and has reemerged as a topic of interest in the last decade. Pectin has recently been investigated for its use in various biomedical applications such as drug delivery, skin protection, and scaffolding for cells. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a pectin-honey hydrogel (PHH) as a wound healing membrane and to compare this dressing to liquid honey.MethodsThirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and a 2 × 2 cm excisional wound was created on the dorsum. Animals were randomly assigned to four groups (PHH, LH, Pec, and C): in the PHH group, the pectin-honey hydrogel was applied under a bandage on the wound; in the LH group, liquid Manuka honey was applied; in the Pec group, pectin hydrogel was applied (Pec); and in the C group, only bandage was applied to the wound. Images of the wound were taken at defined time points, and the wound area reduction rate was calculated and compared between groups.ResultsThe wound area reduction rate was faster in the PHH, LH, and Pec groups compared to the control group and was significantly faster in the PHH group. Surprisingly, the Pec group exhibited faster wound healing than the LH group, but this effect was not statistically significant.ConclusionThis is the first study using pectin in combination with honey to produce biomedical hydrogels for wound treatment. The results indicate that the use of PHH is effective for promoting and accelerating wound healing.

BackgroundThe use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) has been proposed for the treatment of several acute and chronic syndromes, such as corneal epithelial defects and dry eye syndrome, gum bleeding during oral surgery, and in orthopaedic surgery. We hypothesized that PRGF, rather than PRP, could be more effective because of its intrinsic characteristics in promoting the healing of intestinal anastomosis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effects of PRP and PRGF on various parameters of anastomotic healing in a swine model.MethodsEight female pigs were randomly assigned to two groups and subjected to hand sewn jeujuno-jejunal appositional extramucosal anastomoses. For each animal, a total of six anastomoses were performed: two were considered controls and received no treatment, while the remaining four anastomoses were treated with PRP or PRGF of which both were prepared at a platelet concentration that was respectively 3.4-fold and 2.81-fold higher than the original platelet count. In each animal, either PRP or PRGF was used as a treatment, to avoid interference among products. Animals were euthanized after 8 days and the anastomoses were evaluated and compared for the presence of adhesions, anastomotic leakage, bursting pressure, and histological appearance.ResultsThe concentration of platelets in PRP was 3.41-fold higher (range, 3.20–4.24) that the concentration in whole blood, while the concentration in PRGF was 2.81-fold higher (range, 2.89–4.88).The results obtained from the present study highlighted that there are no differences between anastomotic samples treated with either PRP or PRGF preparations, except for a significant increase in epithelization of the intestinal mucosa at the anastomotic site in the PRGF group.ConclusionsBoth PRP and PRGF suspensions should be considered a safe strategy and represent a relatively low-cost technology that is flexible enough to be applied in several therapeutic fields. No true benefit could be proven in our study compared to the no treatment following anastomoses formation, with the exception of enhanced epithelization of the mucosa in the PRGF group.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1102-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The giant and transfixing knot techniques have comparable haemostatic capability and parietal tunic tensile strength, but the giant knot requires less suture material. In open castration, using the emasculator alone may produce adequate haemostasis. In closed castration, using the giant knot in combination with the emasculator increases the bursting pressure and possibly reduces the incidence of haemorrhage. In closed castration, application of a ligature may reduce the risk of evisceration.

CASE DESCRIPTION 8 horses (5 geldings and 3 mares) were evaluated for laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space following a history of recurrent left dorsal displacement of the large colon. CLINICAL FINDINGS All horses underwent a physical examination and routine clinicopathologic testing. Transrectal palpation and transabdominal ultrasonography were performed to exclude the presence of organs in the left paralumbar region. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME A left flank laparoscopic approach with the horses standing was used. A continuous suture was placed in a craniocaudal direction between the renal and splenic capsules with unidirectional barbed suture material. This allowed obliteration of the nephrosplenic space without the need for knots to secure the leading and terminal ends of the suture line. In all horses, transrectal palpation was performed 2 months after surgery; at this time, closure of the caudal part of the nephrosplenic space was evident. In 2 horses, follow-up laparoscopy was performed, and complete closure of the nephrosplenic space was confirmed. Telephone follow-up revealed that none of the horses had any signs of recurrent left dorsal displacement of the large colon. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that laparoscopic nephrosplenic space closure with unidirectional barbed suture material could be considered as an option for prevention of left dorsal displacement of the large colon in horses. In the horses of this report, barbed suture material allowed secure ablation of the nephrosplenic space and eliminated the need for intracorporeal knot tying.

Summary A 16‐year‐old Italian Saddle Horse gelding was referred for treatment of an incisional hernia that developed 7 months after a ventral midline laparotomy for treatment of acute abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a hernia approximately 20 cm long and 15 cm wide on the ventral aspect of the abdomen. Ultrasonography revealed the dimensions of the hernia ring to be approximately 15 cm in length and 10 cm in width. A single‐port laparoscopic incisional hernia repair using an operating 0° laparoscope was performed with an appropriately sized (24 × 18 cm) piece of mesh fixed in place with simple interrupted transabdominal sutures. At 4 weeks post operatively, follow‐up physical examination and ultrasonography confirmed healing of the surgical site with no evidence of hernia recurrence. The same evaluation was done 6 months post operatively, and the horse returned to its previous level of activity 8 months post operatively. In horses, laparoscopic application of mesh should be considered among the treatment options for incisional hernia. In the present case, this technique was performed with a single port using an operative laparoscope, in contrast to the multiportal techniques reported previously. The case presented here demonstrates that single‐port laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is feasible, and allows proper placement of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene intraperitoneal mesh in horses

Honey as a topical treatment for infected wounds dates back to ancient times. However, few studies have been reported concerning the medical properties of Italian honey. In this study, the microbial contamination, the antimicrobial activity and the antibiotic residues of 6 different varieties of Piedmont honeys were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity of honeys was tested by agar well diffusion method and 1 honey for each variety has been selected and tested by broth micro-dilution test to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) and evaluated by Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs). The honeys with a high level of antibacterial activity were analyzed for the presence of tetracyclines, sulfonamides and macrolide residues. The agar well diffusion method showed the greatest antimicrobial activity for honeydew, chestnut and lime tree honeys. The MICs and MBCs identified the close similarity to the medical manuka honey of honeydew, polyfloral and chestnut honey. The levels of antibiotic residues on these honeys were below the limit of quantification. Based on our results the Italian variety of honeydew showed the best antimicrobial activity and can be considered for the treatment of infected wounds in animals.

BackgroundIn literature only one article describes and compares methods of achieving hemostasis in equine mesenteric arteries during jejunal resection and anastomosis, and most textbooks favor ligating-dividing mechanical devices. The latter method cannot always be used, not least because the devices are expensive and in some cases even contra-indicated. Various types of knots, including sliding knots, are widely used to provide hemostasis in laparoscopy.The objective of this study was to compare a triple ligature for mesenteric vessels composed of three sliding knots with a triple ligature composed of a modified transfixing and two surgeon’s knots.MethodsPortions of jejunum with associated mesenteric vessels were collected from 12 horses at a local abattoir. These were divided into 24 specimens containing five mesenteric arteries each. Each artery was closed with a triple ligature. In group A, a surgeon’s knot was used to tie the ligatures (two circumferential and one modified transfixing) while in group B all ligatures (three circumferential) were tied with a parallel alternating sliding knot. Both groups were divided ino two subgroups depending on suture material used (multifilament or monofilament suture material). Time to perform ligatures for every specimen were recorded and compared between groups.After closure, arteries were cannulated and intraluminal pressures were increased until ligature failure. Leaking pressures were recorded and compared between groups.ResultsLigation of mesenteric arteries was significantly faster to perform with sliding knots than with surgeon’s knots, both with monofilament and multifilament suture material. With multifilament suture material, the leaking pressure of sliding knot ligatures was significantly higher than that of surgeon’s knot ligatures. With monofilament suture, there were no statistically significant differences in leaking pressure between ligature methods. Both ligating methods were stronger with monofilament suture material than with multifilament suture material.ConclusionsRegardless of the ligature used, monofilament suture material performed better than multifilament suture material to achieve hemostatic knots. Independently of the suture material, the sliding knot is comparable or better than the surgeon’s knot in providing hemostasis, and is faster to perform.