title: Ligation of the spermatic cord in dogs with a self-locking device of a resorbable polyglycolic based co-polymer--feasibility and long-term follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  New surgical techniques are developed to enable a quicker, easier and safer surgery with reduced risk of complications and shortened time needed for recovery. A resorbable device, a self-locking loop, was designed for surgical ligation. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of ligating the spermatic cord with the device, its biocompatibility and long-term resorption in dogs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The device was made of a block co-polymer (glycolide and trimethylene carbonate), manufactured by injection moulding and consisted of a flexible band running through a case with a locking mechanism. Ten devices were tested for ligation of the spermatic cords in five dogs admitted for routine neutering. The dogs were monitored by physical examination and ultrasonography of the site of ligation, area of spermatic cord and medial iliac lymph nodes regularly until no hyperechoic remnants of the device or acoustic shadowing or local tissue reactions were observed. Haemostasis of the spermatic cords was achieved with the devices. On ultrasonography the devices were seen as hyperechoic structures for 2 months after neutering causing acoustic shadowing for 1 month. The dogs were monitored for 3 - 5 months after surgery. Gradual decrease in echogenicity and final disappearance of the hyperechoic structures suggested resorption. Macroscopic and histological post mortem examinations were performed in one dog at 3 months after surgery. Post mortem examination showed a tissue reaction of a suture granuloma that was restricted in extent at site of the device.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this pilot study suggest biocompatibility and indicate that ligation of the spermatic cord is feasible with the device.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. Odd.Hoglund@slu.se.
authors.forename: Odd V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Höglund
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ingman
authors.forename: Fredrik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Södersten
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hansson
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.forename: Anne-Sofie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lagerstedt
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004285:Dogs; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D023421:Models, Animal; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; C046409:polyglyconate