After day 4, blood-to-peritoneal glucose concentration differences were consistent with septic effusion based on previously reported values used to diagnose septic peritonitis in dogs. Blood-to-peritoneal lactate concentration differences varied but after day 4, >70% of dogs had differences consistent with septic peritonitis each day. Postoperative blood-to-peritoneal fluid glucose and lactate difference may not be reliable indicators of septic peritonitis when evaluating abdominal fluid collected with closed suction drains.

Objective To assess fracture gap reduction and stability of linear vs triangular 4.5‐mm lag screw repair of experimental, uniarticular, and complete forelimb proximal phalanx (P1) fractures. Study design Experimental. Sample population Fourteen equine cadaver limbs/horses. Methods Simulated fractures were repaired with 2 lag screws under 4‐Nm insertion torque (linear repair). Computed tomography (CT) imaging was performed with the leg unloaded and loaded to forces generated while walking. The fracture repair was revised to include 3 lag screws placed with the same insertion torque (triangular repair) prior to CT. The width of the fracture gap was assessed qualitatively by 2 observers and graded on the basis of gap measurements relative to the average voxel size at dorsal, mid, and palmar P1 sites. Interobserver agreement was assessed with Cohen's κ. The effect of repair type, loading condition, and measurement site on fracture gap grades was evaluated by using Kendall's τ‐b correlation coefficients and paired nonparametric tests. Significance was set at P ≤ .05. Results Agreement between loading and fracture gap widening was fair in triangular (κ = 0.53) and excellent in linear (κ = 0.81) repairs. Loading resulted in fracture gap distraction in linear repairs (Plinear = .008). Triangular repairs reduced fractures better irrespective of loading (Punloaded = .003; Ploaded < .001). The type of repair was not correlated with fracture gap grades at unloaded mid and loaded dorsal P1 sites. Conclusion Repair of uniarticular complete parasagittal fractures with a triangular screw configuration improved in vitro fracture gap reduction and stability. Clinical significance Triangular lag screw repair likely improves biomechanical conditions during postoperative weight bearing.

No abstract

Perioperative metoclopramide, at the doses used in this study, did not affect the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the short term postoperative period in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis undergoing unilateral arytenoid lateralization.

Objective: To assess suspensory ligament extensor branch location and fracture gap reduction with simulation of standing and recumbent cortical bone screw repair of experimental incomplete parasagittal proximal phalanx (P1) fractures.Study design: Controlled laboratory study. Sample population: Twenty equine cadaver forelimbs.Methods: Simulated fractures were repaired twice in random order. A proximal cortical bone screw was placed in lag fashion with the limb unloaded (simulated recumbent repair) and loaded to 38% of body weight (range, 375-568 kg; simulated standing repair). Changes in fracture gap width were assessed on computed tomography (CT) images and with intraplanar forcesensitive resistors measuring voltage ratios (V 4 ) between loaded recumbent (R-1) and standing repair simulations (R-2). Extensor branch borders were determined relative to implant position and sagittal P1 width on transverse CT images. P ≤ .05 was considered significant.Results: Standing repair simulation-associated fracture gaps were not wider than in R-1 while controlling for confounding factors (loading weight, implant position, or animal age; P > .7, repeated-measures analysis of variance). Voltage ratio data associated with R-2 were not smaller than with R-1 (mean difference, 0.002 ± 0.052; one-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P = .27). More of P1 width was approachable palmar to extensor branches when limbs were loaded (0.804 ± 0.314 cm) vs unloaded (0.651 ± 0.31 cm; paired Student's t test, P < .001). Conclusion:Simulated standing repair was not associated with inferior fracture reduction compared with loaded simulations of recumbent repairs. Limb loading affected extensor branch location relevant to implant positioning.