Page 159 - Veterinary Laser Therapy in Small Animal Practice

Pointing light at musculoskeletal and neurological conditions: clinical applications 145

Case no. 20

O., canine, 3 years old, Greyhound, FS, 21 kg
• Complaint: open TTA wound.
• History: she underwent TTA surgery for right CCLR 8
days ago. She had an allergic reaction during surgery
preparation, potentially to intravenous cephazolin,
although the epidural morphine and bupivacaine were also
considered. Wound is open and moist. She has been licking
the bandage. She was on ciprofloxacin and also received
tramadol for 4 days postoperatively. Last night she started
to lick the wound. Orthopedic surgeon referred her for LT.
• Physical examination: surgical wound inflammation, with
dehiscence in the distal half and partial exposure of metal
plate. Mildly exudative and with some necrotic tissue.
• Diagnosis: surgical wound dehiscence and potential
surgical site infection.
• Treatment:
• Wound management: 0.05% chlorhexidine lavage
and protective bandages. Keeping the E-collar on and
preventing self-trauma was quite a challenge in this Figure C20.1 X-ray on the day of the surgery.
case, and some degree of dermatitis was present until
wound closure.
• Laser therapy:
2
2
• 5 J/cm over the wound, increased to 10 J/cm once the plate was covered, maintaining an average
power of 1.5–3 W.
2
• 6 J/cm around the rest of the stifle and proximal tibia, with an average power of 5 W.
• Outcome: wound closure after 11 treatments over 5 weeks.

Figure C20.2 Beginning of LT, day 8 after surgery. Figure C20.3 After two LT sessions.

REDONDO PRINT (4-COL BLEED).indd 145 08/08/2019 09:48