
Your Custom Quiz
In Burkhardt 2024 et al., on coagulation testing in liver lobectomy, what percentage of dogs had both PT and aPTT prolonged preoperatively?
🔍 Key Findings
- 20.6% of dogs had a preoperative prolongation in PT or aPTT, but only 5.6% had both prolonged.
- Hemangiosarcoma was the only tumor type significantly associated with both PT and aPTT prolongation (37.5% of hemangiosarcoma cases, p < .001).
- Dogs with both PT and aPTT prolongations were 6.5× more likely to have emergency surgery (p < .001) and 2.5× more likely to have hemoabdomen (p = .0022).
- 60% of dogs with both PT and aPTT prolongation required blood transfusion (p < .001).
- Only 1.9% of all dogs had both PT and aPTT prolonged by >25%, suggesting limited clinical utility of routine PT/aPTT testing.
- Platelet count <50,000/μL was rare (1.5%) and not associated with PT/aPTT changes or transfusions.
- Routine PT/aPTT testing offers low diagnostic yield in elective liver lobectomy cases.
- Authors recommend case-by-case PT/aPTT screening, especially when hemangiosarcoma or bleeding tendencies are suspected.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2024
Evaluating preoperative coagulation panels in dogs undergoing liver lobectomy for primary liver tumors: A multi-institutional retrospective study
2024-7-VS-burkhardt-1
In Almeida 2025 et al., on TPLO and partial CCL rupture, which factor was positively correlated with increased ligament thickness?
🔍 Key Findings
- Transecting the CCL remnant during TPLO did not reduce patellar ligament thickening (PLT) at any measured point (proximal, mid, distal).
- Transection also failed to reduce postoperative patellar ligament shortening (PLL) at 6 weeks.
- Both groups (transected vs non-transected) showed significant thickening and shortening, with greatest PLT increase at the midpoint.
- Increased PLT was positively correlated with tibial plateau rotation (p = 0.02) and postoperative TPA (p = 0.04).
- No correlation between TT-O (tibial tuberosity width index) and PLT, suggesting narrow osteotomies did not influence PLT in this population.
- Partial CCL rupture was not significantly protective; dogs with partial tears still developed ligament thickening.
- Post-TPLO mid-patellar ligament thickening may relate to Gelpi retractor placement and osteotomy mechanics rather than CCL status.
- Authors do not recommend CCL transection during TPLO to prevent desmitis, citing possible increased instability and degeneration.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
4
2025
Effect of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Transection during TPLO on Patellar Desmitis in Dogs with Partial Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
2025-4-VCOT-almeida-3
In Gomes 2025 et al., on subdural shunting for TL-AD, which modification was part of the surgical technique for SDS placement?
🔍 Key Findings
- Modified subdural shunt (SDS) placement was adapted from prior techniques using a hemilaminectomy approach and no suturing of the dura or shunt.
- Dogs receiving SDS had significantly better long-term outcomes (85.7% improved) compared to those with durotomy alone (41.7%).
- Recurrence rate was lower in the SDS group (14.3%) than control (41.7%), though not statistically significant.
- Most recurrences occurred in Pugs (5/7), suggesting a breed predisposition.
- Shunt size was limited to 25% of spinal cord diameter, typically 3–3.5 Fr.
- CSF flow through the shunt was confirmed intraoperatively, supporting the role of SDS in maintaining flow and possibly preventing recurrence.
- Immediate postoperative outcomes were not different between groups (≈42% deteriorated), but long-term recovery was better with SDS.
- Steroid use pre-surgery did not correlate with improved outcome; fewer SDS dogs received steroids pre-op.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2025
Post‐surgical outcome and recurrence rates in thoracolumbar arachnoid diverticula undergoing durotomy alone or alongside a modified technique of subdural shunt-placement in dogs
2025-5-VS-gomes-1
In Duvieusart 2025 et al., on lung lobectomy approaches, what was a key advantage of the TDCM technique?
🔍 Key Findings
- Study Design: Canine cadaveric study comparing intercostal thoracotomy (ICT), median sternotomy (MS), and transdiaphragmatic with caudal median sternotomy (TDCM) for accessory lung lobectomy (ALL).
- Main Outcomes:
- Exposure Area: TDCM (193.5 cm²) > MS (106.5 cm²) > ICT (73.5 cm²) (p = .01).
- TDCM provided significantly greater exposure than MS (p = .02) and ICT (p = .02); MS > ICT (p = .04).
- Surgical Time: No significant difference (p = .06).
- Lobe Excision (% by weight/surface area): No significant difference between groups (p = .4).
- Staple Line Leak: Leak at ≤40 cmH₂O in 2/4 ICT, 0/4 MS, 0/4 TDCM (p = .09).
- Complications:
- 1/4 MS cases had iatrogenic damage to an adjacent lobe.
- Technical Insights:
- TDCM approach allowed immediate visualization of all three parts of the right pulmonary ligament.
- The TDCM approach offers improved access without requiring en bloc removal with the right caudal lobe.
- Conclusion: The TDCM approach provides improved exposure for ALL lobectomy with no increase in surgical time or complications relative to other approaches.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2025
Comparison of three approaches for accessory lung lobectomy in the canine cadaveric model: Intercostal thoracotomy, median sternotomy, and a transdiaphragmatic approach combined with caudal median sternotomy
2025-1-VS-duvieusart-5
In Pilot 2022 et al., on closure methods in sternotomy, what was the observed difference in complication rates between wire and suture groups?
🔍 Key Findings
- Overall closure-related complication rate was 14.1%, lower than previously reported (17–78%).
- No clinically meaningful difference in complication rate between orthopedic wire (17.4%) and suture (11.5%) closure methods.
- Dog size (≥20 kg) was the only significant risk factor associated with increased closure-related complications (p = .01).
- Type of closure (wire vs. suture) did not affect risk, even in larger dogs.
- Suture closure showed a non-significant trend toward fewer complications (mean reduction 2.3%, 95% CI: –9.1% to +4.5%).
- Most complications were mild (62%), with only 10 severe cases requiring surgical revision.
- Infection rate was low (2.7%), and not significantly different between wire and suture.
- Suture closure is a valid alternative to wire, including in large dogs, based on this large, multi-institutional study.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2022
Comparison of median sternotomy closure‐related complication rates using orthopedic wire or suture in dogs: A multi-institutional observational treatment effect analysis
2022-6-VS-pilot-3
In Jeon 2025 et al., on distal femoral shortening, which **complication was observed intraoperatively** during the THR procedure?
🔍 Key Findings
- Distal femoral shortening osteotomy (DFSO) enabled prosthesis reduction in all 4 dogs with irreducible luxoid hips undergoing total hip replacement.
- Median femoral shortening ratio was 13.8% (range: 10.7–15.3%) based on intraoperative tension needed for prosthesis reduction.
- Bone union was achieved in all cases post-DFSO, indicating good healing potential.
- Two major complications occurred: one prosthetic luxation and one aseptic stem loosening requiring explantation.
- One intraoperative fracture of the greater trochanter occurred during trial reduction before DFSO.
- DFSO did not result in neurovascular injury, even in cases with significant femoral head displacement (>4 cm).
- Radiographic planning with FHD index and intraoperative assessment were crucial for determining DFSO necessity.
- DFSO avoids complications linked to subtrochanteric osteotomy by preserving proximal femoral anatomy and allowing secure distal fixation.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2025
Distal femoral shortening osteotomy for managing irreducible hips during total hip replacement in four dogs with severe luxoid hips
2025-6-VS-jeon-3
In Santos 2025 et al., on feline MPL morphology, what best describes the significance of anatomical lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA) differences?
🔍 Key Findings
Sample: 21 cats (10 control, 11 affected); 14 normal limbs vs 18 with MPL (MPL II: 7, MPL III: 11).
Significantly different CT measurements in MPL vs control:
- aLDFA: MPL II > control and MPL III (p = 0.014)
- FTW: MPL III > control (p = 0.021)
- FTD: control > MPL II and III (p < 0.001)
- TTA: MPL II and III had increased external tibial torsion vs control (p < 0.001)
- fPL and PV: MPL III cats had longer and more voluminous patellae
No significant differences in AA, mMPTA, TTD, fPW, aPH.
Patella width exceeded trochlear width in all groups.
Authors suggest femoral and tibial angular correction may not be indicated in most feline MPL II–III cases.
Soft tissue techniques and trochleoplasty warrant further investigation.
CT method: Intraobserver ICC good in 64%, interobserver poor in 36% of metrics.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
1
2025
Computed Tomographic Measurement Method for Morphoanatomical Comparison of Femur, Tibia, and Patella in Cats with and without Medial Patellar Luxation
2025-1-VC-santos-3
In Scheuermann 2024 et al., on 3D-printed reduction guides for tibial fractures, which statement best describes the application of precontoured plates?
🔍 Key Findings
- The study was a prospective clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed, patient-specific reduction system for aligning diaphyseal tibial fractures stabilized using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in fifteen client-owned dogs.
- Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and fabrication were feasible within a clinically relevant timeframe, with a mean of 50.7 hours. Surgical efficiency improved with experience.
- Pin-guide placement was accurate, with median translational discrepancies of 2.7 mm (proximal) and 2.9 mm (distal), and angular discrepancies highest in the axial plane.
- The proximal guide was easier to apply (median Likert score: 8) than the distal guide (median: 6).
- The 3D-printed system enabled near-anatomic reduction in 87% of cases and acceptable reduction in the remaining 13%; no unacceptable reductions occurred.
- Postoperative alignment and tibial length were well-restored, with all dogs within 5° or 5 mm of contralateral measurements.
- Temporary circular fixation was occasionally used to assist reduction and improve alignment.
- Precontoured plates fit easily, with a median Likert score of 9; total surgical time was shorter than conventional MIPO at the institution.
- The study lacked a control group but builds on prior cadaveric feasibility work.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2024
Efficacy of virtual surgical planning and a three‐dimensional‐printed surgical guide for canine segmental mandibular reconstruction in a cadaver model
2024-6-VS-scheuermann1-3
In Berger 2023 et al., on elbow COR estimation, what was the most common exit location of axes in *normal* elbows on the lateral cortex?
🔍 Key Findings
- COR of elbows with FMCP was significantly more caudal compared to normal elbows, based on CT-derived geometry.
- In normal elbows, 74% of medial and 93% of lateral axes exited cranial and distal to the epicondyles.
- In FMCP elbows, 81% of medial and 70% of lateral axes exited caudal and distal to the epicondyles.
- Different landmark combinations produced slightly different COR approximations, especially between humeral vs. radius/ulna-based axes.
- The medial-lateral axis using trochlea and capitulum centers provided the most consistent COR approximation.
- COR estimations based on diseased elbows may not match normal joint geometry, impacting implant alignment accuracy.
- External epicondylar landmarks may be useful intraoperatively to estimate COR location, but variability limits precision.
- Drill diameter size may buffer small COR differences, but impact in advanced disease or bilateral cases remains unclear.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2023
The use of subchondral bone topography to approximate the center of rotation of the elbow joint in dogs
2023-1-VS-berger-1
In Banks 2024 et al., on postoperative outcome, what was the median achieved TPA in the full clinical sample?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- Study Design: Retrospective study of 100 radiographs using in silico and clinical data
- Mean preoperative TPA: 28.6°, higher in small dogs than large (p = .02)
- Mean planned TPA (in silico): 7.6°, not achieving 5° target (p < .01)
- Median postoperative TPA: 5.5° overall; higher in small dogs (7°) vs large (4.5°) (p = .06)
- Postoperative ostectomy position: More distal than recommended; average = 8.6 mm
- Increased distalization → greater under-correction of TPA (p = .01)
- Most accurate correction occurred when ostectomy was ≤7.5 mm from patellar tendon
- Wedge angle categories (TPA-Pre minus 5–2°) were used based on pre-op TPA
Veterinary Surgery
1
2024
A mismatch of planning and achieved tibial plateau angle in cranial closing wedge surgery: An in silico and clinical evaluation of 100 cases
2024-1-VS-banks-1
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