Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound healing signs after dog intestinal surgery
By Matthews, Andrea R et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2008·University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Postoperative ultrasonographic appearance of uncomplicated enterotomy or enterectomy sites in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 20 dogs underwent surgery to remove foreign objects or correct intestinal blockages, and their recovery was monitored with ultrasound. The scans showed that while the surgical sites initially had some swelling and changes in the intestinal wall, most of these issues improved within 10 days. By the end of the monitoring period, most dogs had resolved fluid and gas in their abdomens, indicating a good recovery. Overall, the ultrasound helped track healing after these surgeries, showing that most dogs were on the mend by the end of the observation period.
People also search for: dog surgery recovery ultrasound · dog intestinal surgery healing · what to expect after dog enterotomy
Abstract
The ultrasonographic findings in 20 dogs with 25 healing enterotomy and enterectomy sites resulting from the removal of foreign material or correction of intussusceptions are presented. In this prospective study, dogs had preoperative abdominal ultrasound examinations followed by sequential sonographic examinations on the first, third, sixth, and 10th days postenterotomy or enterectomy with an additional sonographic examination after 20 days postoperatively. Documented sonographic features included length and maximal intestinal wall thickness of the enterotomy or enterectomy sites, echogenicity of omental/mesenteric fat, amount of free gas and abdominal effusion, and gastrointestinal motility. Sonographically, 57% of enterotomies and 100% of enterectomies were visualized. Pneumoperitoneum, hyperechoic omental/mesenteric fat, and abdominal effusion did not appreciably hamper evaluation of the intestinal surgical site. Absent wall layering at the surgical site was noted in 96% of dogs at day 1 postoperatively. At the final sonographic examination, wall layering remained altered to absent in 100% of dogs and normal thickness was noted in only 20% of dogs. The median maximal wall thickness was 7 and 8 mm for enterotomies and enterectomies respectively, which occurred between days 1 and 3 and days 3 and 6 postoperatively. Effusion and increased echogenicity of omental/mesenteric fat localized to the surgical site were noted in 42% and 60% of dogs respectively at day 1 postoperatively, with resolution noted between days 3 and 10 postoperatively in 92% and 80% of dogs. Generalized abdominal effusion and pneumoperitoneum were seen in 100% of dogs immediately postoperatively and resolved in 80% by day 10.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18833959/