No abstract

A rostral mandibulectomy was performed on three dogs with mandibular neopiasia. The technique involves stabilization of the mandibular rami, excision of the mandible rostral to the frenulum of the tongue, and cosmetic closure of the wound. Two patients were living 11 months postoperatively. This technique is effective in treating some malignant neoplasms of the rostral mandible.

The tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is commonly performed for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs. In order to be performed as described, this procedure relies on consistent measurement of the tibial plateau angle (TPA) on radiographs. This prospective study compared two radiographic methods for subsequent TPA measurement with respect to measured angle and ease of determining landmarks for measurement as determined by four observers. One method was the accepted standard radiographic protocol outlined in the TPLO training seminars. The other method involved a novel split image radiographic protocol not yet described in the literature. Participants' subjective scores as to ease of identifying landmarks and determining TPA on radiographs for each method were evaluated. Inter-observer TPA measurement variability was also assessed for each method. The novel radiographic method was judged to be significantly better in terms of ease of measuring TPA. Inter-observer measurement variability was considered appropriate for recommending use of this novel method for radiographing patients for TPA measurements.

A review of the clinical and pathologic evaluation of allogeneic bone grafts is presented with particular emphasis upon partial joint replacement. The histologic evaluation of cortical bone transplantation is reviewed. Radiographic evaluation of cortical bone transplants is presented in an attempt to understand the normal events that take place in incorporation of the graft by the host. The histologic and radiographic correlation is related to the healing process. Current methods of graft collection and storage are reviewed. While collection of the graft is fairly uniform, there are many varied treatment and storage procedures. General surgical procedures used in performing full cortical bone grafts are reviewed. The clinical use of an osteoarticular allogeneic bone graft in the elbow of a dog is presented, with a review of the operative and postoperative evaluation of the clinical patient.