Exploring the Benefits of Stroboscopic Technology and Guided Visualization in Teaching Suturing Techniques to Veterinary Medicine Students.

Suturing is widely regarded to be a core competency of veterinary education. With curricular requirements expanding, training interventions that improve students' suturing skills without added time would be valuable. This study evaluated the effects of stroboscopic visual resistance training, a technique using intermittent occlusion of vision, and guided visualization on suturing technique and speed.

Utility of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria for Sustainable Production of Bermudagrass Forage.

A two-year study was conducted in bermudagrass hay fields in central Alabama to estimate the potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a tool for sustainable agriculture in forage management. This study compared the effects of two treatments of PGPR, applied with and without lowered rates of nitrogen, to a full rate of nitrogen fertilizer in a hay production system. The PGPR treatments included a single-strain treatment of (DH44), and a blend including two strains (AP7 and AP18) and a strain of (AP282).

Elution of antimicrobials from a cross-linked dextran gel: In vivo quantification.

Reasons For Performing Study: Use of a novel, biodegradable, antimicrobial-impregnated gel provides an alternative method of local treatment of infections in horses.

Objectives: To determine in vivo elution of antimicrobial medications from antimicrobial-impregnated cross-linked dextran gel and to evaluate the effect on wound healing when implanted subcutaneously in horses.

Methods: Amikacin-, vancomycin- or amikacin/clindamycin-impregnated gel was placed subcutaneously in 11 horses' necks, using 6 replicates with a 3 month washout between experiments.

Evaluation of a novel post operative treatment for sinonasal disease in the horse (1996-2007).

Reasons For Performing Study: Results of surgical treatment of sinonasal disease in horses have been reported previously; however, this paper describes the outcome of horses in which a specific post operative treatment protocol was used.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine: 1) short- and long-term outcome; 2) complications; and 3) recurrence rates of different disease processes, when horses were treated with a specific treatment protocol.

Methods: Medical records of horses presented for surgical treatment of sinonasal disease from 1996-2007 were reviewed.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of desmopathy of the collateral ligaments of the equine distal interphalangeal joint.

We report the use of a low-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system for the detection of desmopathy of the collateral ligament of the distal interphalangeal joint and the long-term outcome. Twenty horses were studied and their medical records and MR images were reviewed retrospectively. Long-term follow-up information was obtained by telephonic questionnaires of owners, trainers, or referring veterinarians.

Transendoscopic, laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy for treatment of left laryngeal hemiplegia in horses: 22 cases (1999-2005).

Objective: To determine long-term effects of transendoscopic, laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy (LAVC) on airway noise and performance in horses with naturally occurring left laryngeal hemiplegia.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 22 horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia treated by means of LAVC.

Histological evaluation of the equine larynx after unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy.

Reasons For Performing Study: Trans-endoscopic laser surgery, such as unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy (LVC), has gained popularity in the treatment of RLN because a laryngotomy incision or general anaesthesia are not required. However, removal of the vocal fold and ventricle takes considerable laser energy and could cause collateral tissue damage, including injury to the adjacent laryngeal cartilages.

Objectives: To document the histological effects of laser surgery on laryngeal tissues in horses that have undergone LVC for the treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia (LH).

Effects of unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy in horses with laryngeal hemiplegia.

Reasons For Performing Study: Recent studies have evaluated surgical techniques aimed at reducing noise and improving airway function in horses with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). These techniques require general anaesthesia and are invasive. A minimally invasive transnasal surgical technique for treatment of RLN that may be employed in the standing, sedated horse would be advantageous.

Use of cisplatin-containing biodegradable beads for treatment of cutaneous neoplasia in equidae: 59 cases (2000-2004).

Objective: To determine outcome for equids with cutaneous neoplasms treated with cisplatin-containing biodegradable beads, alone or in conjunction with debulking.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 56 horses, 1 zebra, 1 donkey, and 1 mule.

Prevention of ischaemia-induced small intestinal adhesions in foals.

Reasons For Performing Study: Treatments addressing variously theorised pathophysiological mechanisms of small intestinal adhesions have been reported. This study applied those classes of treatments to the most clinically relevant aetiology of post operative adhesions.

Hypothesis: Treatments addressing the pathophysiology of ischaemia-reperfusion induced adhesions would accordingly reduce the incidence of adhesions from this model.

Excision as treatment of dermal melanomatosis in horses: 11 cases (1994-2000).

Objective: To determine whether excision was an acceptable treatment for dermal melanomatosis in horses.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 11 horses with dermal melanomatosis involving the perineal, perianal, or perirectal region or ventral surface of the tail in which treatment consisted of tumor excision.

Effects of topical application of antimicrobials and bandaging on healing and granulation tissue formation in wounds of the distal aspect of the limbs in horses.

Objective: To determine whether povidone iodine ointment or 2 forms of silver sulfadiazine applied topically to wounds of the distal aspect of the limbs in horses affect the rate of second intention healing and to evaluate the additional influence of bandaging with these antimicrobials on granulation tissue formation.

Animals: 6 healthy adult horses.

Procedure: Six standardized 2.

Synovial regeneration in the equine carpus after arthroscopic mechanical or carbon dioxide laser synovectomy.

Objective: To compare synovial regeneration in the equine carpus after mechanical or CO(2) laser synovectomy.

Study Design: Arthroscopic partial synovectomy was performed in the radiocarpal and intercarpal joints.

Sample Population: Twelve horses, 3 to 6 years of age, were randomly divided into 3 groups.

Diode laser and endoscopic laser surgery.

Two functionally important differences exist between the diode laser and the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser (used more commonly in small animal surgery). Diode laser energy is delivered through a quartz fiber instead of being reflected through an articulated arm or waveguide. Quartz fibers are generally more flexible and resilient than waveguides and can be inserted through an endoscope for minimally invasive procedures.

Serosal injury in the equine jejunum and ascending colon after ischemia-reperfusion or intraluminal distention and decompression.

Objective: To document morphologic changes that occur in equine intestinal serosa after experimentally induced ischemia and subsequent reperfusion (jejunum, ascending colon) or after intraluminal distention and decompression (jejunum).

Study Design: Morphologic effects of ischemia-reperfusion or intraluminal distention-decompression determined on the serosal layer of the equine jejunum. The large colon serosa was evaluated after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Arthroscopic removal of patellar fracture fragments in horses: five cases (1989-1998).

Objective: To evaluate the use of arthroscopy as the primary method for removal of large patellar fracture fragments.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 5 performance horses of various breeds with patellar fractures.

Metacarpophalangeal joint synovial pad fibrotic proliferation in 63 horses.

Medical records, radiographs, and sonograms of 63 horses with metacarpophalangeal joint synovial pad proliferation were examined retrospectively. All horses had lameness, joint effusion, or both signs associated with one or both metacarpophalangeal joints. Bony remodeling and concavity of the distodorsal aspect of the third metacarpal bone (Mc3) just proximal to the metacarpal condyles was identified by radiography in 71 joints (93%); 24 joints (32%) had radiographic evidence of a chip fracture located at the proximal dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx.

Large colon resection for treatment of lymphosarcoma in two horses.

With the exception of lipoma, neoplasia of the gastrointestinal tract is rare in horses. Lymphosarcoma is the most common neoplasm of the hematopoietic system in horses. In horses with lymphosarcoma of the large colon, clinical signs may include intermittent signs of mild abdominal pain, weight loss, pyrexia, and pelvic flexure impaction caused by impingement of the colonic lumen by the mass.

Radiographic and arthroscopic findings associated with subchondral lucency of the distal radial carpal bone in 71 horses.

Case records and radiographs of 71 horses with subchondral lucency, without radiographic evidence of fracture, located on the distal radial carpal bone were examined retrospectively. All horses had lameness and/or joint effusion referable to the carpus. Distal radial carpal bone subchondral lucency was found as a solitary lesion or as a lesion concurrent and symmetric to a contralateral distal radial carpal bone chip fracture.

Microvascular permeability and endothelial cell morphology associated with low-flow ischemia/reperfusion injury in the equine jejunum.

Microvascular permeability of the jejunum of clinically normal equids and microvascular permeability associated with 60 minutes of ischemia (25% baseline blood flow) and subsequent reperfusion were investigated. Eight adult horses were randomly allotted to 2 equal groups: normal and ischemic/reperfusion injury. Lymphatic flow rates, mesenteric blood flow, and lymph and plasma protein concentrations were determined at 15-minute intervals throughout the study.

Progression of femoropatellar osteochondrosis in nine young horses. Clinical, radiographic and arthroscopic findings.

The clinical and radiographic progression, and arthroscopic findings for nine young horses (< 1 year of age) with femoropatellar osteochondrosis (OCD) are presented. Horses had a 2 to 12 week history of bilateral (8 horses) or unilateral (1 horse) hindlimb lameness. The most consistent clinical signs included femoropatellar joint distention and bilateral hindlimb lameness.

Evaluation of the microcirculation of the equine jejunum and ascending colon after ischemia and reperfusion.

Intramural vascular patterns of the jejunum and colon were evaluated during ischemic strangulation obstruction (ISO, 70 minutes) and subsequent reperfusion (60 minutes) in 7 adult anesthetized horses. Microvasculature of experimental and control segments was described by comparison of results from microangiography, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy of vascular replicas. Experimental and control segments with isolated vascular arcades were removed either immediately after the experimental period or after 60 minutes of reperfusion.