🔍 Key Findings

• Open transcholecystic cholangioscopy was feasible using a 3.8 mm disposable flexible endoscope in all 8 canine cadavers.
• Visualization was consistently achieved up to the junction of the hepatic ducts, common bile duct, and cystic duct.
• Advancement past the junction was limited by the endoscope diameter (3.8 mm) and anatomical flexure.
• The 1.9 mm flexible ureteroscope could visualize the entire biliary tree, including the major duodenal papilla, in a large dog (43.8 kg).
• Endoscopic tools (e.g., 3 Fr grasping forceps) could be passed through the working channel only after removing the irrigation line.
• Standard biopsy forceps were incompatible with the disposable endoscope's 1.2 mm working channel.
• Cadaver study showed no rupture, but clinical extrapolation is limited due to lack of diseased tissue.
• Disposable endoscope setup cost (~$6,100) was significantly lower than traditional endoscopy systems (~$75,000–100,000), improving accessibility.

🔍 Key Findings

• Fluoroscopically guided normograde metabone pinning (FGNMP) was used to treat 17 animals (15 dogs and 2 cats) with 57 metabone fractures, including various fracture configurations (short-oblique body, physeal, and comminuted).
• All 57 fractures were stabilized using intramedullary pins via FGNMP. The study exclusively focused on pin fixation and did not include screws or combined fixation techniques.
• Median surgical time was 54 minutes (range 26–99 min), indicating efficient procedural execution.
• Radiographic bone union was achieved in all fractures, with a median time to union of 6 weeks (range 4–12 weeks). Union was confirmed in all initially non-united fractures on follow-up.
• No major complications were reported. A single pressure sore at the olecranon resolved uneventfully, and no pin migration or osteomyelitis was observed.
• Pin extensions were noted radiographically (e.g., 42% distal subchondral overextension), but were not associated with clinical problems.
• Fluoroscopic guidance improved implant accuracy and preserved soft tissue, enabling effective fracture alignment and stabilization using this minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) approach.
• The authors concluded that FGNMP is an effective, safe, and minimally invasive method for a variety of metabone fracture types, yielding quick recovery, fast healing, and good to excellent long-term functional outcomes in all 17 cases.

🔍 Key Findings

• Direct suction salvaged more red blood cell mass (rbcM) than swab washing: 88.43% vs 84.74% (p = .015)
• Swab washing still achieved high recovery (84.74%), making it a viable adjunct when suction is not possible
• No significant difference in post-salvage PCV between methods (~34% for Su and ~33.9% for Sw)
• Total salvaged blood volume was significantly higher using direct suction (143 mL vs 139.8 mL; p < .001)
• Leukocytes are removed during salvage, potentially lowering risk of cytokine-mediated transfusion reactions
• Expired pRBCs were used, but device still achieved high RBC recovery, supporting clinical utility
• Swab washing via manual agitation may cause more RBC destruction than direct suction
• Cell salvage may avoid complications of allogeneic transfusions, like storage lesions and immunologic reactions

🔍 Key Findings

Study population: 21 dogs with portocaval extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS)
Surgical approach: 67% (14/21) underwent ameroid constrictor placement
Perioperative complications: 4 dogs (19%), including seizures (n = 2), vomiting, and abdominal effusion
Perioperative mortality: 1 dog (5%)
Postoperative clinical outcome:

• Good to excellent outcome: 81% (17/21)
• Median follow-up: 6 months (range 3–43)

Persistence of shunting (CT or US): 56% (9/16 evaluated)
Dogs with persistent shunting: 67% still had good to excellent clinical outcome
Congenital portocaval shunts may have more favorable outcomes than previously reported

🔍 Key Findings

• 39 of 40 checklist items for simulated OVH surgical assessment had good content validity (CVI = 0.81)
• Only 1 of 6 items from the OSATS GRS (respect for tissue) met inclusion criteria (CVI = 0.80)
• Checklist showed strong reliability (G-coefficient = 0.85) for moderate-stakes exams
• Modified OSATS GRS showed acceptable reliability (G-coefficient = 0.79)
• Two raters needed for acceptable reliability in high-stakes exams when using the checklist
• Minimal interrater bias found; variance largely due to interaction among student, rater, and item
• Digital recordings were a reliable method of evaluating surgical performance
• Study supports using checklist over OSATS GRS for assessing preclinical students on simulated models

🔍 Key Findings

• Fascial planes in dogs were consistently classifiable into four surgical types:
• Type I (discrete sheets), Type II (tightly adhered to thin muscle), Type III (tightly adhered to thick muscle), and Type IV (periosteum-associated).
• Two junction types were identified: Type A (easily elevated) and Type B (higher risk of disruption).
• Disruption-prone areas include the scapular spine (type IV fascia) and lateral thorax near the 13th rib, where rib resection may be needed to preserve margins.
• The latissimus dorsi transition zones and fascial areas near the thoracic inlet and scapulohumeral joint were prone to fascial thinning or disruption.
• Partial muscle resections or periosteal elevations may be required in areas with fragile fascia to maintain oncologic margins.
• Dorsal spinous processes (T6–L6) showed type IV fascia; however, osteotomy may be needed in some dogs for clear margins.
• Blended fascial transitions (e.g., rectus abdominis: type II cranially, type I caudally) necessitate intraoperative judgment on resection depth.
• Cutaneous trunci may suffice as a deep margin for small, low-grade tumors in well-muscled dogs, but not reliably for high-grade or larger masses.

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• 16 dogs (18 stifles) with CrCL rupture and TPA >34° were treated using the DCTPLO
• Mean TPA correction: from 39.4° to 6.3°
• Bone union at 60 days in 17/18 stifles; remaining healed by 90 days
• Minor complications (e.g., small wedge gaps) in 2/18 stifles — no major complications
• Patellar ligament thickening seen in 16/18 stifles but no clinical signs noted
• The technique enabled safer reduction with less risk of tibial crest fracture vs. conventional TPLO

🔍 Key Findings

• Multidetector CTA had high sensitivity (up to 100%) and specificity (up to 96%) for detecting medial meniscal tears in dogs.
• Observer experience significantly influenced diagnostic accuracy, with more experienced observers showing higher agreement and better performance.
• Training effect was evident, as less experienced observers improved between first and second readings.
• Positive likelihood ratios ≥4.6 and negative likelihood ratios ≤0.08 were observed, suggesting CTA is clinically useful for confirming or ruling out meniscal injury.
• CTA allowed identification of full and partial thickness lesions, with good visualization in sagittal, transverse, and frontal reconstructions.
• Approximately 90% of menisci were correctly classified in second readings.
• No adverse reactions were noted from the contrast injection; sedation was used instead of general anesthesia.
• CTA was less invasive and potentially more cost-effective compared to arthroscopy, especially in settings without MRI access.

🔍 Key Findings

• Skin staple anastomosis (SSA) had comparable leak pressures to hand-sewn anastomosis (HSA) but required half the time to complete.
• Skin staple enterotomy (SSE) had significantly lower leak pressures than hand-sewn enterotomy (HSE) and failed in 12/20 constructs during pressure testing.
• HSE constructs took 8× longer to complete than SSE, but had much higher intraluminal pressure tolerance.
• All SSE constructs leaked from the center, with 35% leaking immediately and 60% showing catastrophic failure.
• SSA leakage occurred at the center in 40% of constructs, likely due to a learning curve in early samples.
• All constructs had higher pressures than normal physiologic intestinal pressure (4.0 mmHg ±2.0), except some SSEs with immediate leaks.
• Authors recommend SSA as a viable alternative with appropriate training but do not recommend SSE using the tested technique in live cats.
• Staple size and placement technique are key factors; smaller or more precisely placed staples may reduce leak risk.

🔍 Key Findings

• Barbed sutures showed comparable leakage pressure to traditional sutures and stapling devices (p = .36).
• No bronchial leaks occurred at physiological pressure (<20 cmH₂O) in any group.
• Leakage at supraphysiologic pressure (20–80 cmH₂O) occurred in 90% of stapler, 80% of traditional, and 60% of barbed suture closures.
• Barbed sutures reduced ligation time significantly compared to traditional sutures (10.7 vs. 14.1 minutes, p < .01).
• Staplers remained fastest, with mean ligation time of 2.4 minutes.
• No knot failure or suture breakage was observed in barbed or traditional suture groups.
• Leakage in barbed sutures occurred mostly at the loop effector zone, but remained within acceptable limits.
• Barbed sutures may offer an effective alternative when staplers are unavailable, impractical, or cost-prohibitive.