NEWS & EVENTS Portascope - Portable Video Endoscope In recent times it has been increasingly difficult to source second hand functioning Fiberoptic Flexible Endoscopes from hospitals or medical facilities for use in veterinary practices (you can still buy them new but they are made to order). In the last 20 years the medical/hospital system has replaced the standard Fiberoptic Flexible Endoscopes with state of the art Endoscopic Video Imaging Technology. While second hand Endoscopic Video Imaging Systems and Video Endoscopes are now widely used and readily available in the Vet Market, they are ideal if the patient comes into the clinic and not designed or practical if required for equine veterinary field applications. The Portascope fills a niche in the market. It is an ideal solution offering the mobile equine veterinarian the convenience of a portable, flexible endoscope with the ability to view procedures on the compact 3.5" LCD colour monitor and record images and videos via an SD card. It has a slim 9mm diameter for easy insertion and it is long enough to get to the bifurcation with a biopsy channel that enables therapeutic procedures like gutteral pouch flushing. It has manual air and water facilities and a 4-hour rechargeable battery. It is also leak testable and fully submersible for easy cleaning and maintenance. The Portascope is an innovative flexible video veterinary endoscope designed for easy portability and image and video capture and storage ideal for the mobile equine field vet. ____________________________________________________________ Minimally Invasive Abdominal Equine Laparoscopic Surgery: Surgical Techniques Easier on Horses Through small incisions, a laparoscope is inserted into the body of the horse to view the inside of the abdominal cavity. The laparoscope is attached to an Endoscopic Video Camera for viewing on a video monitor. Specialised long handled Surgical Laparoscopic instruments pass through separate cannula or ports that can then be used for dissecting, cutting, suturing and cauterizing. During procedures, the abdomen is kept disintended of filled with carbon dioxide gas using a High Flow Laparoscopic CO2 Insufflator. This increases the visual access to many of the abdominal organs and allows the surgeon room to work. Indications for Equine Laparoscopy include: Visual examination Uteroplexy Ovariectomy Ovarian tumor removal Clearing blocked oviducts Castration Cryptorchidectomy Abdominal or Thoracic exploration Biopsies Adhesiolysis Inguinal hernia repair Incisional hernia repair Nephrectomy Colopexy Nephrosplenic space ablation Acute & Chronic colic Closure of Mesenteric defects Ruptured bladder repair Removal of bladder stones
The major benefits of minimally invasive surgery include smaller incisions, tension-free dissections, better visualisation especially in areas that cannot be seen with traditional surgical approaches, less postoperative pain and inflammation, reduced discomfort associated with incisional healing and therefore decreased need for postoperative medications, decreased hospitalisation and rehabilitation time, a more rapid return to function and an excellent cosmetic outcome. Many Laparoscopic procedures can be performed on the standing horse with the use of sedation and local anaesthesia, thus the inherent potential complications of anaesthesia and recovery from anaesthesia are also avoided. Equine Laparoscopy does require specialised endoscopic equipment and surgical skills. For further information, questions can be directed to Dr Angus Adkins from Scone Equine Hospital on +61 2 6545 1333. Dr Adkins has currently done over 40 Equine Laparoscopic surgeries. ___________________________________________________________ Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures 2010 Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley 12-16 July 2010 The Bain Fallon Conference was a huge success this year, topped off by our sponsorship of the Endoscopy Workshop at Newcastle Equine Centre at the end of the week. We had on show the Portascope - the first portable veterinary endoscope and 3 metre equine endoscopes. At the workshop we demonstrated the DRS System - Dynamic Respiratory Scope. Approximately 20 delegates attended the workshop which was very hands on at the Newcastle Racetrack with live horses. Thankyou to all for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. Bain Fallon Conference - Stand 28 _______________________________________________________ University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science New Campus and Equipment June 2010 Earlier this year, the University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science moved from the St. Lucia Campus to the Gatton Campus. The new facilities have set a new standard in veterinary research and teaching and enable the school to grow their clinical and diagnostic services. Austvet Endoscopy were proud to be the official supplier of Endoscopy equipment and instruments to the University. We supplied the Vet School with state of the art, current model Olympus Endoscopic Video Systems and Flexible Endoscopes (including a 3 metre Endoscope). This included all associated accessories and instruction manuals. In addition, we spent three days at the Gatton Campus installing the equipment as well as providing full training and troubleshooting advice to all the staff and students. The University was thrilled with its purchase and we are proud of the confidence they placed in our equipment and service. ______________________________________________________ Top Tip for Avoiding Oesophageal Strictures Courtesy of Southern Animal Emergency Centre, Vic
Oesophageal strictures are uncommon but serious disorder in dogs and cats which can be challenging to manage. Fortunately there are simple strategies which can minimise the possibility of a stricture. An oesophageal stricture is one of the differentials for regurgitation and gagging. Diagnosis is made using both plain and contrast radiography, with endoscopy being the diagnostic tool of choice for evaluating severity. Simple medical treatment can minimise the possibility of a stricture forming, and with some forethought there may be no need to reach for the x-ray machine or endoscope. Prevention of strictures should be directed towards reflex in vomiting andanaesthetised animals. Omeprazole and H2 receptor blockers reduce gastric acidity while carafate provides a barrier to gastric acid. Metoclopromide increases lower oesophageal sphincter tone. Consider administering oral omeprazole 4 hours prior to induction of GA. Balloon dilation of the stricture is the preferred method of treatment, but recurrence is common. Oesophageal perforation is a life-threatening complication.  _______________________________________________________ Endoscopy Training Fundamentals of Endoscope Reprocessing Workshops 2011 The Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australia Inc (GENCA) hold workshops around Australia which focus on the essential topic of endoscope cleaning and reprocessing. The workshops are suitable both for staff new to endoscopes and personnel involved in the cleaning and reprocessing of flexible endoscopes and accessories. The workshops are comprehensive and include the latest cleaning techniques and standards - they are a must for any clinic using endoscopes to ensure staff, patients and scopes are protected. The program includes: - Cleaning Endoscopes and Accessories
- Infection Control
- OH&S Issues in relation to liquid and chemical sterilants
- Water Filtration
- Internal and External Scope Components
- Troubleshooting
The workshops run from 8.00am to 5.00pm for one day and cost $300 AUD per delegate. Fee covers handbook, lunch and refreshments. A Certificate of Attendance will also be issued upon completion of the workshop. For further details, please contact Anne Wilson - Executive Officer, at GENCA on 1300 788 155 or email admin@genca.org. Be sure to book early to secure your seat. _________________________________________________________ Notice to Veterinarians - Hendra Virus Outbreak (Australia)
A property in Central Queensland, near Rockhampton, Australia has been placed into quarantine following the death of a horse from a respiratory illness. A Biosecurity Queensland veterinarian has been at the property today and has taken samples to test for Hendra virus. These tests have returned a positive result. All veterinarians should note that the two previous episodes of Hendra saw cluster outbreaks at two localities (for example, Redlands and Proserpine). This indicates the need for heightened awareness that there could be greater risk for Hendra virus at the present time. Veterinarians working with horses should remind themselves of the Guidelines for Veterinarians Handling Potential Hendra Virus Infection
available on the Queensland DPI&F website www.dpi.qld.gov.au. |
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_________________________________________________________ Foreign Body Removal from a Mare
Dr Ben Poole from Cooroora Veterinary Clinic in Cooroy QLD was presented recently with a mare that had a bunya pine branchlet caught in its bronchial tube. Austvet Endoscopy supplied a snare/wire loop which was passed through the endoscope to loop and retrieve the branchlet (after a bit of tugging as it was firmly lodged) and the procedure was a huge success. Dr Poole has kindly sent us a photo and judging by the size of the branchlet, the mare would have no doubt been very happy to have it removed! Austvet Endoscopy's range of foreign body retrieval devices includes not only snare/wire loops but also tripod retrieval devices, basket retrieval devices, the Roth Net retriever and a rigid oesophageal removal forcep. You can view these instruments on our website under "New Products" or contact us for further information. _______________________________________________________ Introduction to Flexible Endoscopy CD-ROM
Improve your knowledge and handling of flexible endoscopy procedures. Authored by an international expert, this CD-ROM is a professional development tool that provides solid grounding in the principles and techniques of flexible endoscopy. The program, which is designed to be used with your computer, is easy to use and you will be given instructions and feedback as you proceed through the course. Content Includes: - Required instrumentation
- How to care for, clean and store endoscopic instruments
- Equipment set - up
- How to correctly hold a flexible endoscope
- Post - endoscopic procedures
- How to incorporate flexible endoscopy into a veterinary practice
System Requirements: - WindowsTM 95/98
- Pentium class processor (min 90MHz)
- 16 MB RAM
- 8X CD-ROM drive (min)
- 16 bit sound card and speakers
- Monitor resolution of 640 x 480 with 16 bit/24 bit colour
Author: Dr Todd Tams Price: $181.00 AUD (ex GST) Published: 2000 ISBN: 189698522X *Available through the Post Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science, University of Sydney*pgfsales@usyd.edu.au ______________________________________________________ Endoscopic Equipment Cleaning Solutions
With the latest outbreak of the Hendra Virus in Queensland and the devastating impact it has had, it is once again a timely reminder about the importance of ensuring that your endoscopy equipment is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to every use. The attached article ?Medical Instrument Cleaning Solutions? (2004) by Dr George Crank from the University of New South Wales, details not only how critical equipment cleaning is, but also highlights the effects of not cleaning equipment with the correct products. Dr Crank looks at the various cleaning solutions on the market today and provides documented evidence why it is crucial to ensure the correct cleaner is used. A comprehensive article that should be mandatory reading for everyone in this industry. Contact Us For Our Latest Catalogue Tel. +61 3 9543 3991
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