← Articles

Miller et al: Linear and discrete foreign body small intestinal obstruction outcomes, complication risk factors, and single incision red rubber catheter technique success in cats
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Cats with linear (LFBO) and discrete (DFBO) small intestinal obstructions had similar survival (98.2% vs. 97%, p = 1.0).
  • Postoperative complications were not significantly different between LFBO and DFBO cases (p = .1386).
  • Intestinal dehiscence was rare (only 2 cats), both in DFBOs, with no statistical difference between groups.
  • Red rubber catheter technique (RRCT) successfully removed LFBOs in 83% (20/24) of attempts.
  • All failed RRCTs occurred in cats with perforations or tissue nonviability.
  • Cats with failed RRCTs had longer clinical signs pre-surgery (median 6.5 vs. 2.0 days).
  • Surgical time was longer in LFBO cats (median 77 min vs. 58 min, p = .0018).
  • Preoperative septic peritonitis was rare (4/169 cats), but occurred only in linear or mixed FBO cases.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

How critical is this paper for crushing the Boards?

🚨 Must-know. I’d bet on seeing this.

📚 Useful background, not must-know.

💤 Skip it. Doubt it’ll ever show up.

Thanks for the feedback!
‍We'll keep fine-tuning the articles vault.
Oops — didn’t go through.
‍Mind trying that again?
← Articles

Miller et al: Linear and discrete foreign body small intestinal obstruction outcomes, complication risk factors, and single incision red rubber catheter technique success in cats
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Cats with linear (LFBO) and discrete (DFBO) small intestinal obstructions had similar survival (98.2% vs. 97%, p = 1.0).
  • Postoperative complications were not significantly different between LFBO and DFBO cases (p = .1386).
  • Intestinal dehiscence was rare (only 2 cats), both in DFBOs, with no statistical difference between groups.
  • Red rubber catheter technique (RRCT) successfully removed LFBOs in 83% (20/24) of attempts.
  • All failed RRCTs occurred in cats with perforations or tissue nonviability.
  • Cats with failed RRCTs had longer clinical signs pre-surgery (median 6.5 vs. 2.0 days).
  • Surgical time was longer in LFBO cats (median 77 min vs. 58 min, p = .0018).
  • Preoperative septic peritonitis was rare (4/169 cats), but occurred only in linear or mixed FBO cases.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

Know What Matters in the Literature - and Why

We distill peer-reviewed surgical studies into clinically relevant summaries and
exam-style questions, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Free Access. No Spam. Just Smarter Surgical Learning

Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Miller 2024 et al., on intestinal obstruction and catheter technique in cats, what key factor was significantly associated with failed RRCT attempts?

A. Cat body weight over 5 kg
B. Longer duration of clinical signs prior to surgery
C. Hypoalbuminemia below 2.5 g/dL
D. Postoperative fever
E. Intraoperative hypotension

Answer: Longer duration of clinical signs prior to surgery

Explanation: Cats with failed RRCTs had a longer median duration of clinical signs (6.5 vs. 2.0 days).
In Miller 2024 et al., on intestinal obstruction and catheter technique in cats, which intraoperative factor did NOT differ significantly between LFBO and DFBO groups?

A. Surgical time
B. Intraoperative hypotension
C. Survival to discharge
D. Duration of clinical signs
E. Site of obstruction

Answer: Intraoperative hypotension

Explanation: Intraoperative hypotension was not statistically different between LFBO and DFBO groups (p = .4756).
In Miller 2024 et al., on intestinal obstruction and catheter technique in cats, what was the reported survival to discharge for cats with linear foreign bodies?

A. 84%
B. 92%
C. 98.2%
D. 99.5%
E. 100%

Answer: 98.2%

Explanation: The survival rate for cats with LFBOs was 98.2%, similar to DFBOs at 97%.
In Miller 2024 et al., on intestinal obstruction and catheter technique in cats, which of the following was TRUE regarding intestinal dehiscence?

A. More common in LFBO than DFBO
B. Occurred in 8% of cats with RRCT
C. Occurred in only 2 cats, both with DFBO
D. Occurred only in cats with preoperative septic peritonitis
E. Significantly increased with surgical time

Answer: Occurred in only 2 cats, both with DFBO

Explanation: Only two dehiscence cases were reported, both in cats with DFBOs, and were not statistically different across FBO types.
In Miller 2024 et al., on intestinal obstruction and catheter technique in cats, what was the overall success rate of the red rubber catheter technique (RRCT) for removing linear foreign bodies?

A. 100%
B. 92%
C. 83%
D. 65%
E. 41%

Answer: 83%

Explanation: The RRCT successfully removed LFBOs in 20 out of 24 cases, representing 83% success.

Access the full library of surgical summaries and exam-style questions.

Get Instant Access

Educational content developed independently and supported by Simini.

The maker of Simini Protect Lavage.

Review More Key Summaries from this Veterinary Surgery Journal Issue

Ritson

 et al: 

Ex vivo comparative evaluation of feline hilar lung lobectomy using linear stapler, pretied ligature loop, and double-shank titanium clips

de Moya

 et al: 

Closed reduction and fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous pinning of femoral capital physeal or neck fractures: Thirteen fractures in 11 dogs

Scheuermann

 et al: 

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of femoral fractures with 3D-printed bone models and custom surgical guides: A cadaveric study in dogs

Marshall

 et al: 

Delayed union, non-union and mal-union in 442 dogs

Hanlon

 et al: 

Mechanical evaluation of canine sacroiliac joint stabilization using two short screws