Partial circumferential reconstruction of the cervical esophagus was evaluated in the dog. An esophageal defect 5.85 +/- 1.15 cm in length involving one-half of the circumference was repaired by direct closure (group I), using longus colli muscle patch grafts (group II), and using grafts of longus colli muscle lined with buccal mucosa (group III). The incidence of leakage, fistula formation, luminal stricture, peristalsis disturbance, lining loss, the quality of surface restoration, bursting strength, and wound healing were evaluated. No fistula formation or leakage was observed in any animal. Direct closure of the defect was easier to perform, led to less inflammatory reaction, and resulted in the highest bursting strength. However, this method was associated with luminal stricture and swallowing difficulties. The longus colli muscle patch grafts (group II) were associated with a slight to moderate luminal stricture, but had more inflammatory reaction and graft surface area contraction (62%) compared to group III. The longus colli muscle lined with buccal mucosa caused no stricture and slight surface area contraction (8%). Mucosal grafts remained viable and no lining loss was observed. Despite the loss of peristalsis at the level of the graft in 25% of the group III dogs, no clinical signs or swallowing difficulties were observed.

This study aimed at describing anatomo-histopathological and imaging features, using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging on six ex vivo forelimbs of Tbourida horses, that presented a particular bone exostosis on the dorsal and proximal part of the first phalanx, diagnosed by X-ray. Gross anatomy of the bone exostosis revealed an irregular surface with poly-lobulated tissue masses showing a cauliflower shape. The diameter/depth varied from 0.5 to 5.1 cm with a mean of 3.9 ± 0.9 cm. The capsule of the metacarpophalangeal joint was hypertrophic and showed many invaginations in the inner part, in contact with the bone exostosis. Computed tomography revealed cortical and medullary continuity of the bone exostosis, with the underlying bone, and remodeling of the cortical surface of the dorsal and proximal part of the first phalanx. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an increased signal intensity of the bone exostosis on the T1- and T2*-weighted gradient fast echo. Histological examination of the bone exostosis revealed a cap of hyaline cartilage, including large foci of endochondral ossification with a base of cancellous bone surrounding marrow spaces, which confirmed the diagnosis of osteochondroma. The capsule of the metacarpophalangeal joint showed a large amount of recently formed connective tissue fibers in its inner part, interspersed with mature connective tissue. The hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joint during a Tbourida show, which occurs on a hard ground surface, and the use of hobbles in horse stabling are most likely responsible for the outgrowth of an osteochondroma of different shapes and sizes, and fracture complications in some cases.

Tbourida is a traditional Moroccan equestrian sport in which 15 horses gallop 200 m in a line while riders fire into the sky with muskets. The stop is the finale and representative demands of this equestrian event. Such particular sudden stop after a fast gallop requires a hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Indeed, it is well known that Tbourida show predisposes horses to different injuries of the hard and soft tissues of the distal forelimbs. Yet, there is a paucity of research that examined such lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate for the first time the type and the prevalence of osteoarticular findings in the distal forelimbs of Tbourida horses using radiographic images. The study was conducted on 127 Tbourida horses aged between 2.5 and 15 years old with 6-year-old horses being the most affected. Data analysis showed that 93,7% of horses exhibit degenerative joint lesions of the fetlock, 86,6% showed ossification of the ungual cartilage, 78,7% had enthesophytes associated with the deep digital flexor tendons, 81,1% had enthesophytes associated with the suspensory ligament branches, and 19,6% showed a particular exostosis on the first phalanx. This large number of lesions reflects how this sport is difficult for horses and also argues that animals are suffering from a lack of welfare and care in their husbandry management.

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Free revascularized jejunal grafts based on a single branch of the mesenteric artery and vein were selected and used for replacement of the cervical esophagus in 20 dogs. The graft pedicle was transplanted to the left external jugular vein and the internal carotid artery using end-to-side microvascular anastomoses. The procedure was successful in all the dogs; however, five dogs had fistula formation that healed spontaneously. A similar jejunal autograft was used to replace the thoracic esophagus in 20 dogs. The recipient vessels were the internal thoracic artery and vein. Only four dogs survived. Thirteen dogs could not survive because of infection resulting from leakage of esophageal content from the esophagojejunal anastomoses into the thoracic cavity. Only two dogs had infarcted jejunal grafts. The four surviving dogs could swallow liquid and semisolid food but they never returned to solid food because of difficulties with swallowing. Graft survival was confirmed with endoscopy and arterial angiography. Narrowed jejunal graft lumen was apparent with contrast radiography and endoscopy. The jejunal grafts kept peristalsis and contracted in coordinated fashion with the proximal esophagus. At necropsy, wound healing was evaluated using bursting strength and bursting circular wall tension. Although slight adhesion and fibrosis around the grafts as well as slight inflammatory reaction around the suture material were observed, the jejunal grafts were grossly and microscopically normal. All esophagojejunal anastomoses healed and the jejunal mucosa looked normal.