Objective: To report complications and long-term outcomes of cats with benign ureteral obstruction treated with ureteroneocystostomy and to determine the effects of double pigtail catheter (DPT) placement on postoperative outcomes. Study design: Retrospective study. Animals: Twelve client-owned cats with ureteral urolithiasis treated with ureteroneocystostomy. Methods: Records were reviewed for signalment, location of the obstruction, diagnostic tests, surgical technique, perioperative complications, long-term measurements of kidney function, and survival. Cats were divided into two groups; in one group, a DPT was placed at the time of ureteroneocystostomy, and, in the other group, a DPT was not placed at the time of ureteroneocystostomy (NDPT). Results: A DPT was placed in six of 12 cats. The NDPT group included four cats with temporary catheters and two cats with no catheter. Median creatinine concentration decreased from 10.4 mg/dL (range, 1.6-20.3) to 2.2 mg/dL (range, 1.1-3.6) at the time of discharge (P = .015) in all cats. Two cats in the NDPT group required revision surgery for uroabdomen. Eleven cats were discharged from the hospital. Long-term complications (hematuria, pollakiuria, urinary tract infections) were more common in the DPT group (P = .047). Seven cats were alive a median of 329 days (range, 8-1772) after surgery. Median creatinine concentration was 2.0 mg/dL (range, 0.6-6.4) at a median of 157 days (range, 43-1772) after surgery. Conclusion: Ureteroneocystostomy resulted in acceptable long-term outcomes in 11 of 12 cats. The placement of a DPT did not influence the long-term outcome in this small population. Clinical significance: Ureteroneocystostomy with or without intraoperative placement of a DPT should be considered to relieve benign ureteral obstructions in cats.

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.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether jejunal serosal patches could securely seal large, open defects in duodenal segments harvested from canine cadavers and to compare intraluminal pressures at which leakage first occurred and maximal intraluminal pressures for repaired duodenal segments between 2 suture patterns. SAMPLE Duodenal and jejunal segments from 9 canine cadavers. PROCEDURES 20 constructs were created through repair of large, open duodenal defects with circumferential suturing of an intact jejunal segment (jejunal serosal patch). Constructs were randomly assigned to have the serosal patch anastomosed to the duodenal segment by a simple continuous or simple interrupted suture pattern. The pressure at which the first leakage was observed and the maximum pressure obtained during testing were recorded and compared between suture patterns. RESULTS Initial leakage pressure was significantly higher with the simple interrupted pattern (mean ± SD, 68.89 ± 5.62 mm Hg), compared with the simple continuous pattern (59.8 ± 20.03 mm Hg). Maximum intraluminal pressures did not significantly differ between the simple interrupted (91 ± 8.27 mm Hg) and simple continuous patterns (90.7 ± 16.91 mm Hg). All constructs, regardless of suture pattern, withstood supraphysiologic pressures. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Jejunal serosal patches adequately sealed large, open duodenal defects and prevented leakage in these constructs. Constructs with simple continuous or simple interrupted suture patterns withstood physiologic and supraphysiologic intraluminal pressures, although constructs with a simple interrupted suture pattern initially leaked at higher pressures. (Am J Vet Res 2020;81:985–991)