Stapled 1-stage functional end-to-end anastomosis and resection is a fast and safe procedure in the hand of nonexpert but trained surgeons.

The proposed strategy provided a 95% (35 of 37) cure rate, after a single procedure in 81% (30 of 37) of cases. Recovery of a foreign body at surgery was not a prerequisite for the resolution of the recurrent draining tracts.

Objective-To compare the safety and efficacy of 2 analgesic protocols (preoperative meloxicam or intraoperative ketoprofen administration) during the first 24 hours after orthopedic surgery in dogs. Study Design-Double-blind, prospective randomized clinical trial. Animals-Sixty client-owned dogs. Methods-Dogs with surgical orthopedic disorders were randomly separated into 2 groups: 30 dogs were administered 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam intravenously (IV) immediately before induction and 30 dogs were administered 2 mg/kg ketoprofen IV, 30 minutes before the end of surgery. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) and a cumulative pain score (CPS) preoperatively and at 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours after extubation. Selected serum biochemical variables were measured before and 24 hours after surgery and, buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) and whole blood clotting time (WBCT) were measured before and 8 hours after surgery. Dogs were anesthetized with propofol and maintained on halothane in oxygen. Any complications were documented for 7 days after surgery. Results were compared between the 2 groups for significant differences in VAS scores (2-sample t-test) and in CPS (Wilcoxon's 2-sample test). Moreover, results were analyzed for significant differences in area under the curve (AUC) for VAS (2-sample t-test) and CPS (Wilcoxon's 2-sample test) among groups. To assess the effects of treatments on biochemical and coagulation functions, pre-and postoperative mean values of BMBT and WBCT were compared within both treatment groups (paired t-tests) and between both groups (2-sample t-test). Results-No significant differences in pain response or coagulation were found between meloxicamand ketoprofen-treated dogs. In both groups, alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase concentrations were significantly increased compared with baseline. No serious complications occurred. Conclusions-Preoperative administration of meloxicam is a safe and effective method of controlling postoperative pain for up to 24 hours in dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery. Clinical Relevance-Analgesia after administration of preoperative meloxicam was comparable with administration of ketoprofen at the end of the surgery. r

Objective-To report a technique for minimally invasive occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and outcome in 5 dogs. Study Design-Clinical cases. Animals-Five, 4-6-month-old, dogs with PDA. Materials and Methods-Titanium ligating clips were used for PDA closure in all dogs. Three dogs had video-enhanced mini-thoracotomy PDA occlusion. Two other dogs had thoracoscopic PDA occlusion using a custom-designed thoracoscopy clip applicator. Results-Thoracoscopic PDA occlusion was successful in both dogs in which it was attempted. Complete PDA closure was achieved in 4 dogs. Three months after surgery, the largest dog had residual ductal flow that hemodynamically was insignificant. Conclusions-Although technically demanding, minimally invasive PDA occlusion is a safe and reliable technique in dogs. Preoperative measurement of the diameter of the PDA is crucial to determine if complete closure with metal clips can be achieved. Clinical Relevance-Minimally invasive PDA occlusion should be considered as an alternative to occlusion via conventional thoracotomy. r