Vet360 Vol 4 Issue 4 August 2017 Vet 360 | Page 35

DENTISTRY
ORAL MASS REMOVAL
Dehiscence
Probability: Moderate
Prevention: Close without suture line tension.
Regrowth
Probability: Common with incomplete excision
Prevention:
1. Perform fine-needle aspiration cytology before surgi-
cal excision to help determine malignancy and plan
surgical margins.
2. Perform computed tomography or cone beam com-
puted tomography before surgery to plan surgery
with clean margins (Figures 8A-8D).
Possibility of further oncologic treatment needed
Probability: Moderate in cases of malignancy
Prevention: Before surgery, mention to the client the
probability of radiation therapy in those masses that
are responsive.
Consider discussing these very rare adverse outcomes
with clients who you think need to know more:
GENERAL ANAESTHESIA
Vision loss
Probability: Extremely rare
Usually attributed to anoxia or very low blood pres-
sure during or immediately after the procedure.
Lameness
Probability: Rare
Older animals and those with disk disease or arthritis
may become lame secondary to prolonged positional
changes.
Trachea rupture, subcutaneous emphysema
Probability: Rare, primarily in older cats
To prevent this complication, be careful not to over-
inflate the endotracheal cuff, and disconnect the
Figure 8A. An oral mass involving the rostral maxilla. Figure 8C. Three-month rostral regrowth of the tumor.
Figure 8B. Removal of the mass (osteosarcoma) with clean distal sur-
gical margins only. Figure 8D. Five-month continued regrowth.
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