ABSTRACT Purpose To develop a segmental tibial bone defect model for tissue engineering studies in veterinary orthopedics using single locking compression plate (LCP) fixation and cast immobilization. Methods A 3-cm bone defect was created in the right tibia of 18 adult Suffolk sheep. A 10-hole, 4.5-mm LCP was applied to the dorsomedial aspect of the bone. Four locking screws were inserted into the proximal and three into the distal bone fragment. Operated limbs were immobilized with casts. Animals were submitted to stall rest, but were allowed to bear weight on the operated limb. During the recovery period, animals were checked daily for physiological parameters, behavior and lameness. Follow-up radiographs were taken monthly. Results Surgical procedures and postoperative recovery were uneventful. Animals adapted quickly to casts and were able to bear weight on the operated limb with no signs of discomfort or distress. No clinical or radiographic complications were detected over a 90-day follow-up period. Conclusions Surgical creation of tibial segmental bone defects followed by fixation with single LCP and cast immobilization was deemed a feasible and appropriate model for veterinary orthopedic research in tissue engineering.

Toracoscopia é o método de visibilização da cavidade torácica através de endoscópio rígido ou flexível, indicado como exame auxiliar para diagnóstico das diversas afecções do tórax. Pode ser realizada com o animal sob anestesia geral ou em posição quadrupedal através de anestesia local associada ou não a sedativos. Neste trabalho, foram utilizados seis eqüinos hígidos, que foram submetidos a toracoscopia, em posição quadrupedal, nos dois hemitórax, com intervalo de 15 dias entre cada procedimento. Durante o exame, pôde-se observar as diversas estruturas da cavidade torácica, tais como: músculo diafragma (porção muscular e tendínea), hiato esofágico, mediastino, aorta, troncos dorsal e ventral do nervo vago, ducto torácico, veia ázigos, veias intercostais, músculos intercostais, costelas, tronco nervoso simpático, tronco vascular toracocervical, traquéia, pulmão (lobo cranial e caudal), esôfago, pericárdio, veia cava caudal, nervo frênico e linfonodos aórticos. Discretas alterações foram observadas ao exame físico, laboratorial e ultra-sonográfico no período pós-operatório, sem que trouxessem prejuízos ao desenvolvimento do experimento e recuperação do animal. A toracoscopia mostrou ser exame de auxílio importante, pela facilidade, rapidez de execução, ampla visibilização da cavidade pleural e trauma mínimo ao paciente.

Thoracoscopy is the technique based upon the thoracic cavity visualization by means of rigid or flexible endoscope. It is indicated as an additional diagnostic aid to better define thoracic diseases. It can be performed either in an animal subjected to general anesthesia or in a horse standing on stocks with local anesthesia with or without sedative. Six healthy horses were used in this study they were subjected to thoracoscopy in both hemithorax, standing on stocks, with a 15-day interval between each procedure. It was possible to visualize several thoracic structures through the 13th intercostal space aproach, such as: diaphargma (muscular and tendineous portions), esophageus hiatus, mediastinum, aorta, vagus nerve dorsal and ventral trunk, thoracic ductus, azigus vein, intercostal veins and muscles, ribs, sympathetic nervous trunk, thoracocervical vascular trunk, trachea, lungs (cranial and caudal lobes), esophagus, pericardium, caudal cava vein, phrenicus nerve and aortic linphonodes. Slight alterations were observed in physical, laboratorial and ultra-sonographic exams during pos operative period those alterations did not compromise either this experiment development or the animals well being. By being an easy and fast procedure wich allows pleural cavity broad visualization and pacient minimal trauma, thoracoscopy makes itself a great diagnostic aid exam.