• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.131-134
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• 2016

A 4-year-old intact female Maltese was referred to the Animal Medical Center of Chonbuk National University with a history of consistent fecal incontinence over 4 months following sacculectomy surgery. We suspected that anal sacculectomy resulted in loss of the external anal sphincter. On physical examination, the external anal sphincter muscle on the left side was intact, while the external anal sphincter muscle on the right side could not be detected and exhibited severe laceration. To repair the defect, the left semitendinosus muscle was transposed around the anus. The left semitendinosus muscle was isolated and transected near the stifle, reflected dorsally and passed around the ventral rectum into the pararectal fossa. Care was taken to preserve the integrity of the vasculature and nerve supply. The muscle was secured dorsally with simple interrupted sutures to the levator ani and coccygeus muscles to simulate the external anal sphincter. Nine days after surgery, the dog was defecating normally with no evidence of incontinence. The use of semitendinosus muscle flaps is a good option for the treatment of fecal incontinence secondary to loss of sphincter muscle in dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.14.1-14.15
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• 2023

Background: The management of feline hindlimb full-thickness skin defects is challenging. On the other hand, the use of a semitendinosus (ST) myocutaneous flap for their coverage has not been reported. Objectives: To describe the ST flap and compare it with second intention healing for managing hindlimb full-thickness skin defects. Methods: In 12 purpose-bred laboratory domestic short-haired cats, two wounds were made on each tibia. The wounds in group A (n = 12) were covered with ST flaps, and those in group B (n = 12) were left to heal by second intention. In both groups, clinical assessment scoring and planimetry were performed between one-30 d postoperatively. Computed tomography-angiography (CTA) was performed on days zero, 10, and 30, and histological examinations were performed on days zero and 14 and at 6 and 12 mon postoperatively. Results: Statistically significant differences in the clinical assessment scores were observed between groups A and B on days 14 (p = 0.046) and 21 (p = 0.016). On the other hand, the time for complete healing was similar in the two groups. CTA revealed significant differences in the muscle width (day 0 compared to days 10 and 30 [p = 0.001, p = 0.026, respectively], and days 10 to 30 [p = 0.022]), ST muscle density, and the caliber of the distal caudal femoral artery and vein (day 0 compared to day 10 [p < 0.001], and days 10 to 30 [p < 0.001]). Histologically significant differences in inflammation, degeneration, edema, neovascularization, and fibrosis were observed on day 14 compared to zero and 6 mon, but no differences were found between the time interval of 6 and 12 mon. Conclusions: An ST flap can be used effectively to manage hindlimb full-thickness skin defects.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.371-375
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• 2013

An 11 year-old intact female Yorkshire Terrier weighing 3.5 kg was presented with the complain of having a perineal mass, fecal incontinence and tenesmus. Physical examination revealed reducible bilateral ventral perineal mass, enlarged mammary gland and vaginal discharge. Bilateral ventral perineal hernia (BVPH) and pyometra were diagnosed based on the clinical and radiographic findings. Ovariohysterectomy was performed after general anaesthesia to treat pyometra. The BVPH was repaired by herniorrhaphy with semitendinosus muscle transposition along with colopexy and cystopexy. The postoperative radiographs and CT revealed a good correction of the BVPH. The patient showed good activity after 10 days and no complications were observed during a one year follow up period. BVPH can be successfully surgically managed by herniorrhaphy with semitendinosus muscle transposition along with cystopexy and colopexy in the dog.