Lumbosacral discospondylitis may not respond well to conservative treatment because of the mobility of the affected space. Surgical treatment involving distraction and stabilization to obtain intervertebral fusion is very effective in treating lumbosacral instability caused by discospondylitis.

Bone healing of unstable osteotomies stabilized with a type II ESF is not significantly enhanced by staged destabilization of the fixation as performed in this study.

OBJECTIVE To compare use of a vessel-sealing device (VSD) versus conventional hemostatic techniques in dogs undergoing thyroidectomy because of suspected thyroid carcinoma. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 42 client-owned dogs undergoing thyroidectomy because of suspected thyroid carcinoma. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs treated at 4 referral centers from 2010 through 2016 were reviewed, and information was obtained on patient signalment, surgical technique, tumor-specific factors, and operative duration. Postoperative hospitalization time and complications were compared between dogs grouped on the basis of hemostatic technique. RESULTS Thyroidectomy was performed with a VSD in 23 dogs and with conventional hemostatic techniques (ie, ligatures, hemoclips, or electrocautery) in 19 dogs. Hemostatic technique (ie, use of a VSD vs conventional hemostatic techniques) was the only factor significantly associated with operative duration (median time, 28 vs 41 minutes). Postoperative hospitalization times and complication rates did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that use of a VSD, rather than conventional hemostatic techniques, in dogs undergoing thyroidectomy because of suspected thyroid carcinoma resulted in shorter operative times without significantly affecting complication rates or postoperative hospitalization times.

Single-session bilateral surgery could be offered for dogs with bilateral MPL with complication rates and function of operated limbs similar to unilateral surgery.