Surgery

In May, I explained how to perform a nonsurgical extraction on single-rooted teeth including the incisors, first premolars, deciduous canines, and mandibular third molars. A surgical approach is indicated to extract canines, certain large incisors, and multirooted teeth and to retrieve root tips.

Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis is a common cause of cauda equina syndrome and a relatively frequent neurologic disorder in older dogs. If this condition is recognized early, treatment may help alleviate significant morbidity.

In many cases, wounds that extend under the skin and into muscle will need to be opened further to allow debridement of devitalized fat and muscle.

Veterinary medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the practice of canine orthopedics.

When five specialty practices merged to create the Veterinary Referral Center of North Texas, they chose to keep their autonomy and design their own workspaces.

After an orthopedic procedure, it is common to have a convalescent period of weeks to months before recovery is attained. Physical rehabilitation may help patients achieve maximum recovery. Physical therapy is also valuable for easing chronic pain in pets.

Cranial cruciate ligament pathology is a leading cause of lameness in dogs. Many surgical treatments have been described that aim to restore stifle joint stability and minimize the progression of subsequent osteoarthritis. Most surgical treatments seek to replace the function of the cranial cruciate ligament by substituting autologous tissues or synthetic materials. More recently, the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure has been described, which alters the mechanical forces acting on the stifle, rendering the cranial cruciate ligament unnecessary.

RALEIGH. N.C. - 4/15/05 - The North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine incorporated new technology to treat cataracts.

A 7-month-old intact male Labrador retriever was presented for evaluation of a two-week history of left hindlimb lameness.

A 65-lb (29.5-kg) 6-year-old spayed female Doberman pinscher was presented for evaluation of a one-month history of progressive left forelimb lameness.

In this prospective clinical study, the effect of perioperative oral carprofen on limb function and pain after cranial cruciate ligament surgery was evaluated in 20 dogs treated at a university teaching hospital.

Minimally invasive surgery is a rapidly developing discipline in veterinary medicine, thanks to its widespread use in human medicine. During the past 20 years, veterinarians have watched a temporally similar development with arthroscopic surgery.

Veterinarians routinely deal with lacerations, bite wounds, and mass removals in small-animal practice. When wound closure becomes difficult because of the location of the wound or the size of the mass, however, even the most confident veterinarian can be intimidated by the prospect of these surgeries.

A Z-shaped incision can be created in an area of high skin tension to allow skin relaxation and lengthening. A Z-plasty involves transposing the two interdigitating flaps of skin formed by the incision.

A mesh Graft is a full- or partial-thickness sheet of skin that has been fenestrated to allow drainage and expansion.

Like a scalpel, radiosurgery provides a sense of tactile sensation. And as with a laser, with radiosurgery there is an absence of tissue resistance.

We purchased a laser for our clinic and found that it took an extra set of hands to use the gas vaccum.

This study provides reasonable evidence that elbow joint replacement could offer similar success rates as those of hip surgery (90%).

In this prospective university study that used dogs from a local humane society, the authors developed a technique for laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy.

To keep track of surgical instrument replacement and tuning, we post a list just inside the door of the surgery room.

When making skin incisions or excising masses or wounds, always orient the long axis of the incision or ellipse along the line of skin tension.

Unlike in human medicine, post-traumatic facial reconstruction has received little attention in small-animal surgery.

An approximately 1-year-old, neutered male domestic longhaired cat weighing 6.5 lb (2.9 kg) was evaluated by the referring veterinarian because of mild dyspnea.

Cleveland-The majority of veterinarians say the most competitive business pressure is coming from Internet sales of veterinary products.

Dr. Eric Monnet provides a comprehensive review of the newest suture materials available to practitioners and their applications for wound closure.

Signalment: Canine, Chinese Shar Pei, 3-year-old, female, 41 lbs.

Dr. Michael Pavletic offers insight on how to effectively incorporate skin stapling as a means for closing wounds.

Dr. Dean Hendrickson discusses innovative methods that offer a less invasive approach to conducting laparscopic ovariectomy in horses.

Ames, Iowa-Iowa State University (ISU) lays claim to a first for veterinary medicine.

Las Vegas-Pfizer wants to make pain assessment the next vital sign, and they just launched a team to directly help veterinarians and staff improve how they manage patient pain.