Surgery

The pinna of the ear is examined for scratches, hair loss and swelling. The external ear canal that is visible to the naked eye is examined for redness, swelling, and mats of hair and waxy material.

Brachycephalic breeds (Shih Tzu, boxer English and French Bulldog, Pekingese, pug and Boston terrier) have a shortened skull compared to the other breeds. Compression of the nasal passage and distortion of the pharyngeal tissue result in an increase in airway resistance.

The lens is composed of crystalline fibers specifically arranged to allow light rays to transilluminate through the lens to the retina. The lens focuses light rays on the retina.

Corneal surgical techniques available for use in veterinary medicine are reviewed. Surgeries discussed include linear grid keratotomy, multiple superficial punctate keratotomy, diamond burr superficial keratectomy, thermokeratoplasty, keratectomy, conjunctival graft placement (pedicle, island, bridge, advancement, etc.), corneoconjunctival transposition flaps, penetrating and lamellar keratoplasties (corneal transplants), biosynthetic graft placement (A-cell, BioSist), and amnion graft placement.

Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is the most common cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs. Treatment of CrCL injury is an integral part of veterinary orthopedic practice, and represents a $1.23 billion/yr industry in the United States.

Total knee replacement is a treatment option for nonseptic advanced osteoarthritis and irreparable traumatic injuries when medical management is no longer adequate, reconstructive surgery does not have a good prognosis and arthrodesis and amputation are the other options.

It's every veterinarian's worst nightmare. Here's how our practice recovered.

These notes are provided as an outline and brief review of pet fish medicine with emphasis on the clinical work up and standards of care.

Treating dermal injuries, fracture stabilization, stabilization of fracture sites after internal orthopedic repair, joint injuries and prevention of self trauma are common reasons bandages are used on avian patients.

Dr. Steven F. Swaim demonstrates how to place these tension-type sutures that can close large skin defects on the trunks of animals.

Walking sutures are tension-type sutures that can be used to close large skin defects in areas where sufficient skin surrounds the wound that can be moved or stretched to close the wound.

Alexandria, Va. -- The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has announced a new specialty, the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians.

East Lansing -- Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) will stop using live animals in terminal procedures to train veterinary students in surgical techniques beginning with the fall 2010 semester.

A 9-year-old 46.2-lb (21-kg) spayed female mixed-breed dog was presented to the ophthalmology service at Colorado State University for evaluation of incisional infection and delayed healing after bilateral entropion surgery.

Atresia ani is a congenital embryological anomaly in which the hindgut fails to fully communicate with the perineum.

In dogs, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (formerly recognized as S. intermedius) is the most common resident organism of the skin and the most common cause of canine pyoderma.

Breaking through to Iva Granite-Head.

A full-thickness mesh graft is a sheet of skin that includes only the epidermis and the entire dermis and is fenestrated to allow for expansion and drainage.

In this five-part video, Dr. Steven Swaim demonstrates how to place full-thickness mesh skin grafts.

Washington-Awards granted to veterinarians.

I found an easy way to make a small, lightweight, affordable, and portable tomcat castration positioner.

A collaborative column between the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and DVM Newsmagazine.

Fort Collins, Colo. -- A 15-member veterinary surgical team at Colorado State University (CSU) recently fit two artificial limbs on yearling calf.

We used to have a problem with the sticky residue left on our surgical packs and drapes from the autoclave tape.

Harness the holiday spirit to educate clients on pet health.

When an endotracheal tube gets pulled out by the weight of the tubing, it can wake up your patient and potentially traumatize the patient's trachea if the cuff is inflated.

Using ultrasound guidance to perform fine-needle aspiration biopsy is preferred for tumors of the neck.

Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) surgery is a prophylactic procedure performed in puppies 10 to 20 weeks of age that have been diaqnosed with hip dysplasia as discussed in last month's column.

Germantown, Md. -- The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) honored several surgical residents for publication in Veterinary Surgery and for presentation of scientific research in poster format and at the Residents' Forum.

Surgical exploration of the abdomen is performed for diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic purposes.