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Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 21228

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Satoshi Takagi

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Guest Editor

Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Interests: companion animal; surgical technique; surgical approach; endoscopic surgery; interventional radiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As COVID-19 infections spread throughout the world, companion animals provide potential healing moments for us humans. However, their lifespan is not eternal, and diseases, especially those of soft-tissue organs, can sometimes take their lives. The accumulation of evidence for clinical treatment is important for these animal diseases, but it is limited compared to that of humans in veterinary medicine. Especially in the field of soft-tissue surgery, it is very difficult to conduct reproducible experiments or studies with control groups, so there is a need for a place to publish valuable data from veterinarians around the world.

Improvements in the functionality of treatment equipment such as laparoscopes and videoscopes have made it possible to perform minimally invasive treatments under a specular view for diseases that were previously difficult to treat or required large surgical incisions. It is known that there have been remarkable developments in this field in recent years, but there is still insufficient space for sharing such information.

Original articles on soft-tissue surgery and minimally invasive surgery in companion animals are invited in this Special Issue. Papers on basic surgical techniques such as suturing and ligation, new approaches, diseases and outcomes, surgical case reports or case series of rare diseases, and minimally invasive surgery (endoscopic surgery, video-assisted surgery, and interventional radiology) are especially welcome.

Dr. Satoshi Takagi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

companion animal
surgical technique
surgical approach
endoscopic surgery
interventional radiology

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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8 pages, 722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Perineal Urethrostomy on the Length of the Urethra of the Cat: A Cadaveric Study

by Anna Shipov, Inbar Israeli, Jean-Philippe Billet, Yoav Adam and Joshua Milgram

Animals 2023, 13(18), 2810; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182810 - 05 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1604

Abstract

Perineal urethrostomy in cats is indicated for urethral pathologies located distal to the bulbourethral glands. The description of the bulbourethral glands as the cranial landmark when performing a PU is based on the increased urethral diameter at this location, rather than on an anatomical limitation. This suggests that urethral pathologies cranial to the bulbourethral glands could potentially be treated with PU. At present, the extent to which the pelvic urethra can be mobilized is unknown. Characterization and quantification of the effect of PU on the pelvic urethra is required prior to attempting to define the location of the pelvic urethra, cranial to the bulbourethral glands, which can be exteriorized when performing a PU. Our aim was to characterize and quantify the effect of performing a PU on the location and length of the pelvic urethra. Methods: Ten male feline cadavers were used, and four markers were placed on the pelvic urethra via a ventral approach to the peritoneal and pelvic cavities. Two orthogonal radiographic views were acquired prior and subsequent to performing a PU. The distance of each marker to a predefined landmark/origin and the distances of the markers relative to each other were measured on all radiographs. Results: PU resulted in significant caudal translation of the markers relative to the predefined landmark on all radiographic views; however, PU did not result in a significant change in the distances between the markers. Conclusions: Performing a PU results in caudal translation and minimal stretching of the mobilized pelvic urethra. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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16 pages, 2771 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of a Composed Simulator by Veterinarian Non-Experts in Minimally Invasive Surgery for Training and Acquisition of Surgical Skills for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Dogs

by Belén Andrade-Espinoza, Carlos Oviedo-Peñata and Juan G. Maldonado-Estrada

Animals 2023, 13(17), 2698; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13172698 - 23 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1292

Abstract

This study aims to assess the acquisition of surgical skills for laparoscopic ovariectomy (LOE) in dogs by veterinary surgeons with no experience in minimally invasive surgery using the CALMA Veterinary Lap-trainer simulator (CVLTS) in an experimental and analytical setting. Veterinary surgeons with no experience in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (experimental, n = 5), and MIS experts (experts, n = 3) were evaluated. Experimental and expert group participants watched an instructional video (initial time) before practicing the LOE on uterine tissues and ovaries freshly reconstituted after elective ovariohysterectomy (initial time evaluation). Then, the experimental group practiced five training sessions on the composite simulator with permanent feedback and then performed the LOE again (final time evaluation). Surgical performances in initial and final evaluations were video recorded and further evaluated by three external MIS experts using Global objective assessment of laparoscopic skills (GOALS) and LOE-specific rating scales (SRSs) in a double-blinded schedule. In addition, a hands movement assessment system (HMAS) attached to the back of the hands was used to quantitatively measure completion time, angularity, and movement smoothness. Data were analyzed with one-factor ANOVA and Tukey’s contrast test. No statistically significant differences were found between the novice group’s performance after training and the expert group’s performance according to the GOALS (p < 0.01) and SRS (p < 0.05) scores. Moreover, the novices had significantly improved time, number of movements, and angularity in the final time compared with the initial time (p < 0.05), with no significant differences compared to the expert group (p > 0.05). LOE training using a composed simulator resulted in significantly improved laparoscopic skills and time, number, and angularity of movements data, providing evidence of the usefulness and reliability of CVLTS in training LOE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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15 pages, 2929 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnostic Findings and Surgical Management of Three Dogs Affected by Osseous Metaplasia Secondary to a Salivary Mucocele

by Matteo Olimpo, Erica Ilaria Ferraris, Lorenza Parisi, Paolo Buracco, Sara Gioele Rizzo, Davide Giacobino, Andrea Degiovanni, Lorella Maniscalco and Emanuela Morello

Animals 2023, 13(9), 1550; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091550 - 05 May 2023

Viewed by 3154

Abstract

Saliva is an irritant of the subcutaneous tissue, thus causing the development of a non-epithelial reactive pseudocapsule. Metaplastic ossification of the pseudocapsule is a condition rarely described in the veterinary literature. The main causes of calcification are trauma, tumours, various chronic inflammatory conditions and fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. The aim of the present case series was to describe three dogs affected by a calcified salivary mucocele. The medical records of dogs affected by a cervical sialocele were retrospectively evaluated, and three cases met the inclusion criteria. All the dogs in this study were referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the Department of Veterinary Sciences of the University of Turin (Turin, Italy) for a large solid mass in the intermandibular region. The diagnosis of a mucocele was confirmed clinically by centesis and by radiography or CT. Complete excision of both the pseudocyst and the ipsilateral mandibular/monostomatic sublingual salivary gland was performed in all cases. The histological report showed large areas of bone metaplasia within the pseudocapsule and chronic sialadenitis. Based on this limited case series, complete excision of the pseudocyst and a concurrent sialoadenectomy provided an effective treatment for this rare salivary mucocele disorder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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13 pages, 1383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implementation of a Canine Ergonomic Abdominal Simulator for Training Basic Laparoscopic Skills in Veterinarians

by Luis C. Hincapié-Gutiérrez, Carlos A. Oviedo-Peñata, Manuel A. Rojas-Galvis, Carlos H. Riaño-Benavides and Juan G. Maldonado-Estrada

Animals 2023, 13(7), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13071140 - 23 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1242

Abstract

The validity of the CALMA Veterinary Lap-trainer simulator (CVLTS) for training basic veterinary laparoscopic skills was assessed and compared to a simple collapsible mobile box trainer. Ten veterinarian surgeons with no experience in laparoscopic surgery and four experts with at least two years of experience in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) were included. The training curriculum included object transfer, non-woven gauze cutting with curved scissors, and interrupted and continuous intracorporeal sutures, which were practiced on the CVLTS. The initial and final assessments were carried out in both the CVLTS and in a collapsible mobile simulator. These were video-recorded and evaluated by external experts using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and a specific scale evaluation in a double-blinded schedule. The time, angular displacement, number, and movement smoothness were recorded using a hands movement assessment system (HMAS). Through a survey, the face validity and content were evaluated. The data were analyzed by a Pearson’s proportions comparison or Mann Whitney U test and a bilateral Student’s t-test. The experimental group OSATS, specific scores, and HMAS values, with the exception of the smoothness of movements, significantly improved after training, with no statistically significant differences compared to the expert group. No differences were found between the two simulators. The experts’ and experimental participants’ CVLTS mean score was 4.8. Our data support the CVLTS validations for laparoscopic surgery basic skills training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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32 pages, 24543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Incisional Wound Healing in Dogs after Closure with Staples or Tissue Glue and Comparison to Intradermal Suture Pattern

by Dimitrios B. Balomenos, Pagona G. Gouletsou and Apostolos D. Galatos

Animals 2023, 13(3), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030426 - 27 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2895

Abstract

The study aimed to monitor the healing process in the canine skin following surgical incision and closure using staples or tissue glue and to compare them with the intradermal suture pattern. Surgically created skin incisions in 10 dogs were apposed with staples, tissue glue (n-butyl cyanoacrylate) and continuous intradermal pattern. The cosmetic appearance of the wounds was blindly evaluated on days 7, 14 and 28 and once a month until the end of the experiment, i.e., one year after the incision. Ultrasonographic and clinical evaluation was performed on days 0–10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24 and 28, once a week until the end of the 3rd month and once a month until the end of the experiment. Histopathological evaluation was performed on days 7, 14, 28, 180 and 365. The median time required for the performance of each technique differed significantly between techniques; stapling lasted 21 s, glue 2 min 16 s and intradermal 15 min 37 s. Cosmetic appearance with glue was statistically worse than staples and intradermal. The clinical appearance of intradermal was significantly better than glue and staples. No significant differences were found at histological evaluation; however, glue had the worst score throughout the experiment. The overall evaluation of the techniques showed that glue had the worst score compared to intradermal and staples, with the difference being statistically significant in the first postoperative week. Intradermal suture pattern is much better than glue application for skin closure in dogs, whilst is not significantly better than staples. Staples should be preferred when time is an important factor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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14 pages, 7724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surgical Excision of Intramuscular Sarcomas: Description of Three Cases in Dogs

by Matteo Olimpo, Paolo Buracco, Erica Ilaria Ferraris, Lisa Adele Piras, Lorella Maniscalco, Davide Giacobino, Andrea Degiovanni and Emanuela Morello

Animals 2023, 13(2), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020218 - 06 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1825

Abstract

Compartmental excision consists of the complete resection of an anatomic district in which specific structures act as a barrier to local tumour invasion. It is a well-established procedure in human medicine, while only a few reports are available in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to describe complete muscle resection in 3 dogs affected by different intramuscular sarcomas. The clinical outcome was also reported. Medical records were searched, including preoperative diagnostic findings, compartmental excision, histologic diagnosis, and outcome. Three dogs fit the inclusion criteria, which had a sarcoma confined to a single muscular belly (semitendinosus, biceps, and splenius capitis muscles). Complete excision of the affected muscle was performed in all cases. One dog showed moderate lameness in the immediate postoperative period, resulting from the dorsal lifting of the scapula due to serratus ventralis tenotomy performed to remove the caudal insertion of the splenius capitis muscle. All the dogs recovered fully within one month, experiencing good clinical function. Histopathology showed complete tumour removal with no neoplastic fascial disruption in all cases. Compartmental excision provides effective local tumour control, representing an alternative to limb amputation or more radical excision if adjuvant radiotherapy is not an option for owners. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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12 pages, 523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lower Urinary Tract Diseases in Guinea Pigs: A 14-Year Retrospective Study (2004–2018)

by Salomé Azevedo, Bairbre O’Malley, Claire Greene, Helena Moran, Tomás Rodrigues Magalhães and Felisbina Luísa Queiroga

Animals 2023, 13(1), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010112 - 28 Dec 2022

Viewed by 3004

Abstract

The clinical records of all guinea pigs diagnosed with a lower urinary tract disease in a single veterinary hospital, over a period of 14 years (2004–2018), were retrospectively searched in order to characterize this population and investigate the potential association between the epidemiological and clinical variables. A total of 117 clinical cases were identified, corresponding to 57 animals. Urolithiasis was the most common diagnosis (n = 52; 44.4%), followed by cystitis and/or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Several statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) were found between different variables, showing that female guinea pigs were more likely than the male ones to have a previous family history of urinary disease, to present dysuria and stranguria at admission, and to suffer recurrence. Moreover, males were more prone to urolithiasis and females to cystitis/UTI, and animals diagnosed with cystitis/UTI frequently had more clinical urinary signs and abdominal pain on palpation compared to those diagnosed with urolithiasis. Finally, the use of potassium citrate and the urethrotomy approach were associated with a better therapeutic response. Further studies are needed in larger populations of guinea pigs to confirm the present findings, especially as some of them were described for the first time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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11 pages, 934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Two-Point Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Laparoscopic Canine Ovariectomy

by Lorena Espadas-González, Jesús M. Usón-Casaús, Nieves Pastor-Sirvent, Massimo Santella, Javier Ezquerra-Calvo and Eva M. Pérez-Merino

Animals 2022, 12(24), 3556; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243556 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1698

Abstract

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block causes desensitization of the abdominal wall and peritoneum. Of all the approaches proposed to perform it, the two-injection-point TAP showed the best results in terms of the area reached by the anesthetic solution. However, to date, no clinical data exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and postoperative analgesic efficacy of a two-injection-point TAP block in dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. A total of 26 animals were assigned to receive general inhalation anesthesia (control group), and 26 dogs were assigned to general inhalation anesthesia combined with TAP block (TAP group). The ultrasound-guided TAP block was carried out with a subcostal and cranial-to-ilium injection per hemiabdomen. The end-tidal concentration of isoflurane (EtISO) was recorded at different moments during the surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed at different time points during the first 24 h after surgery. The control group required significantly higher EtISO concentration during the ovarian resection and showed higher postoperative pain scores than the TAP group. Fewer dogs in the TAP group required intra- or postoperative rescue analgesia. TAP block can be implemented to improve postoperative pain management after laparoscopy, reducing the dosage of the systemic drugs used and, hence, their possible side effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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Other

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8 pages, 1078 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Three-Dimensional Models of Liver Vessels for Navigation during Laparotomic Attenuation of Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Dogs

by Jan Frymus, Piotr Trębacz, Aleksandra Kurkowska, Mateusz Pawlik, Anna Barteczko, Michał Barański and Marek Galanty

Animals 2023, 13(12), 2004; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13122004 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2223

Abstract

Laparotomic attenuation of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (IHPSS) is more difficult than an extrahepatic one, and results in a higher risk of complications because the identification of the aberrant vessel in the liver remains often a challenge. Excessive preparation and traction of the parenchyma results in trauma, bleeding, and prolonged surgery, which is what worsens the prognosis. Therefore, based on computed tomographic angiography, we printed 3-dimensional (3D) individual patient liver models, scaled 1:1, and used them for surgery planning and as a guide during intraoperative identification of the shunt in four dogs with IHPSS. The advantages of the 3D technology are simple and precise planning of the surgery, fast intraoperative identification of the shunt, and low invasive dissection of the liver parenchyma. We conclude that 3D technology can potentially raise the recovery rate. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first application of 3D models in the surgery of canine IHPSS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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6 pages, 789 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Thoracic Wall Reconstruction with Dorsal Diaphragmatic Traction and Preservation of Diaphragmatic Attachments in a Dog with Resection of the 11–13th Ribs

by Eiichi Kanai, Ayano Kudo, Asaka Sato, Hiromitsu Yoshida, Akinori Yamauchi, Ryo Oshita and Satoshi Takagi

Animals 2023, 13(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010034 - 21 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1403

Abstract

A 9-year-old, 4.7 kg, spayed female Chihuahua presented with a 3.5 cm soft tissue sarcoma on the dorsal right thoracic wall. The tumor was resected, including the 11–13th ribs, resulting in a caudal dorsal thoracic wall defect. The defect was reconstructed with direct traction of part of the diaphragm dorsally, preserving the diaphragmatic attachments to the body wall, and the diaphragm was sutured to the surrounding ribs and muscles. Possible respiratory complications, including paradoxical respiration and exercise intolerance, were not observed during the perioperative or postoperative observation periods. This novel procedure is expected to be an option for caudal thoracic wall reconstruction when the diaphragmatic attachments remain intact even after the resection of the last rib. In addition, this procedure can be performed in dogs weighing <5 kg, with small pleural cavities and without respiratory disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Tissue Surgery and Minimally Invasive Techniques in Small Animals)

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