
Your Custom Quiz
In Fracka 2023 et al., on patient-specific guides, what did NOT significantly differ between PSG and generic guide groups?
🔍 Key Findings
- 3D-printed patient-specific guides (PSGs) improved tibial cut alignment in the frontal plane compared to generic guides (mean error 1.03° vs 2.41°, p = .036).
- All tibial cuts using PSGs were within 3° of target alignment, while 2/8 of the generic group were outliers.
- PSGs significantly improved sagittal alignment of both distal (p = .018) and cranial (p = .043) femoral cuts.
- No significant difference was found in varus-valgus femoral alignment or closing angle between PSG and generic guide groups.
- Tibial sagittal slope alignment was not significantly different between groups.
- PSGs provided better intraoperative usability, including improved visibility, no loosening, and ease of use.
- Femoral sizing and component fit were equivalent between PSGs and generic guides, ensuring proper prosthesis alignment.
- PSGs may offer training advantages for novice surgeons, especially in anatomically complex or deformed joints.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2023
3D-printed, patient-specific cutting guides improve femoral and tibial cut alignment in canine total knee replacement
2023-5-VS-fracka-4
In Logothetou 2024 et al., on SPF complications, which anatomic site for SPF reconstruction was associated with the fewest complications?
🔍 Key Findings
- Complication rate for subdermal plexus flaps (SPFs) in dogs was 53.6%.
- Skin staples had a numerically higher complication rate (72.2%) than sutures (49.3%), but not statistically significant due to small sample size.
- Most common complication was wound dehiscence (35%), followed by seroma (14%) and wound discharge (14%).
- Increased body weight was significantly associated with higher complication risk (OR = 1.056 per kg; p = .029).
- Advancement flaps were associated with a lower incidence of complications on univariable analysis (p < .001).
- Head region flap closures had fewer complications, while proximal pelvic limb closures had the highest complication rate.
- Age was a risk factor—each additional year increased odds of complications (OR = 1.019; p = .004).
- Closure technique did not significantly influence complication severity, though staple use was numerically worse.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2024
Complications and influence of cutaneous closure technique on subdermal plexus flaps in 97 dogs (2006–2022)
2024-3-VS-logothetou-3
In Heikkilä 2024 et al., on COPLA scaffold evaluation, what was the key finding at 1.5 years postoperatively?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- 22 dogs (36 shoulders) with shoulder OCD randomly assigned to COPLA scaffold (n=19) or Control (n=17) group
- At 6 months: Significantly fewer dogs in COPLA group had OA (14% vs. 67%; p = 0.019)
- At 1.5 years: OA prevalence increased in both groups with no significant difference (COPLA: 64%, Control: 60%)
- HCPI (pain index) increased significantly at 1 week post-op in COPLA dogs only (p = 0.001), but later normalized
- Static weight-bearing improved only in unilaterally operated COPLA limbs (p = 0.015)
- One dog in COPLA group had a fragment dislodge requiring arthroscopic removal
- Overall, COPLA scaffold may provide short-term benefit in OA reduction, but long-term outcomes were similar
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
6
2024
Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial of Polylactide–Collagen Scaffold in Treatment of Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs
2024-6-VCOT-heikkila-2
In Swieton 2025 et al., on portocaval shunts, what percentage of dogs underwent ameroid constrictor placement?
🔍 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
Veterinary Surgery
2
2025
Outcome of 21 dogs treated for the portocaval subtype of extrahepatic portosystemic shunt
2025-2-VS-swieton-2
In Pfeil 2024 et al., on fluoroscopic pinning, what was a key advantage of the technique?
🔍 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.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Outcomes of 15 dogs and two cats with metabone fractures treated with fluoroscopically guided normograde metabone pinning
2024-5-VS-pfeil-4
In Latifi 2024 et al., on fascial mapping in the canine hindlimb, which fascial type is associated with periosteum and may require ostectomy for inclusion in surgical margins?
🔍 Key Findings
- This anatomical study mapped fascial planes of the canine hindlimb and pelvis to aid superficial tumor resection.
- Type I fascia (discrete sheets) was suitable for deep margins in fascia lata, lateral crus, and gluteal regions.
- Areas with poor or absent fascia included the ischiorectal fossa, femoral triangle, stifle extensor mechanism, and pes.
- Type IV fascia associated with periosteum (e.g., patella, tibial tuberosity) required partial ostectomy for inclusion in surgical margins.
- Nerves at risk during deep dissection included obturator, superficial peroneal, and tibial nerves, particularly in regions with weak fascia.
- In males, bulbospongiosus muscle could act as a fascial plane but dissection was challenging and potentially hemorrhagic.
- In females, constrictor vulvae/vestibulae muscles were tightly associated with mucosa, limiting clean resection options.
- Distal hindlimb resections often lacked a usable fascial plane, suggesting that amputation or adjuvant therapy may be more appropriate.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2024
Fascial plane mapping for superficial tumor resection in dogs: Part III – Hindlimb and pelvis
2024-3-VS-latifi-2
In Dickson 2024 et al., on VATS for feline chylothorax, which agents were used to visualize the thoracic duct?
🔍 Key Findings
- Objective: To evaluate outcomes and complications of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for idiopathic chylothorax in 15 cats.
- All 15 cats underwent thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation (TDL); 13 also had simultaneous pericardectomy, 2 had VATS TDL + laparoscopic cisterna chyli ablation (CCA), and 1 cat had an open CCA.
- Median surgical time was 152.5 minutes (range 60–255).
- Contrast was used intraoperatively in 13 cats; 11 received methylene blue, and 2 received indocyanine green (ICG).
- One intraoperative complication (6%) occurred — a minor intercostal artery laceration. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 3 cases (20%) due to visualization issues or bleeding.
- Postoperative complications occurred in 8 cats (53%), with persistent pleural effusion in 5 cats (33%) being the most common.
- Mortality was high: 4 cats (27%) died or were euthanized before discharge. Only 7 of 11 cats discharged had resolution of effusion, and recurrence occurred in 1.
- Authors concluded that while VATS is technically feasible in cats, it did not improve clinical outcomes compared to open surgery, and feline idiopathic chylothorax continues to have a high mortality rate.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Outcome of video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment of idiopathic chylothorax in 15 cats
2024-5-VS-dickson-4
In Buote 2023 et al., on laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in cats, what percentage of cadavers had successful LVSG procedures completed?
🔍 Key Findings
- LVSG was feasible in 9/10 feline cadavers and both live cats, with no intra- or postoperative complications in live cases.
- Two cadavers developed suspected stenosis due to staple lines too close to the lesser curvature; avoided with orogastric tube placement in later cases.
- No evidence of gastric leakage in any cadavers (8/10 tested) or live patients after methylene blue leak tests.
- Mean surgical time was ~110 min cadavers / 115 min live, and 27.6% of stomach mass was resected.
- Both live cats recovered uneventfully, lost 21–24% body weight over 3 months, and had no GI complications at 6-month follow-up.
- Orogastric tube and tension on the greater curvature were critical to avoid staple line misplacement or stenosis.
- No oversew of the staple line was needed, and unreinforced staples showed no leakage in live patients.
- Future studies needed to assess metabolic outcomes and ideal staple sizing and closure techniques.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2023
Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy in felines: A cadaveric feasibility study and experimental case series in two cats
2023-6-VS-buote2-1
In McClean 2025 et al., on shoulder arthrocentesis techniques, what proportion of SA injections resulted in cartilage injury (IACI)?
🔍 Key Findings
- Study Type: Cadaveric study using 36 paired canine shoulders (n = 18 per group: Subacromial [SA] and Supratubercular [ST])
- Survey Results: 75% of clinicians preferred SA technique; 25% used ST
- Complete accuracy: 50% (SA), 44% (ST) — no significant difference (p = .8)
- Partial accuracy: 39% (SA), 50% (ST)
- Complete miss: 11% (SA), 5.6% (ST)
- Incidence of IACI:
- SA: 50% (9/18 shoulders)
- ST: 11% (2/18 shoulders) → statistically significant (p = .007)
- Lesion depth: All ST lesions were partial-thickness; SA group had one full-thickness lesion (p = .027)
- Location: Lesions found on glenoid and humeral head with even distribution in SA; only one each in ST
- Landmark-guided injections were ≤50% completely accurate, even by an experienced operator.
- ST technique is safer with lower risk of cartilage damage, despite similar accuracy.
- Findings support considering image-guided techniques to improve both safety and accuracy in clinical settings.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2025
Accuracy and safety of two landmark‐guided techniques for arthrocentesis and intra‐articular injection of the shoulder in dogs
2025-4-VS-mcclean-4
In Story 2024 et al., on surgical correction of excessive tibial plateau angle (eTPA), which procedure consistently under-corrected the tibial plateau angle despite a target TPA of 0°?
🔍 Key Findings
- All four techniques achieved TPA <14°, meeting the threshold for acceptable surgical correction in eTPA cases.
- Group A (CBLO + CCWO) and Group D (PTNWO) showed highest accuracy in achieving target TPA values.
- Group B (TPLO + CCWO) resulted in significant tibial shortening compared to other techniques.
- Group A caused the greatest cranial mechanical axis shift, while Group B caused the least.
- Group C (mCCWO) resulted in consistent under-correction of TPA, despite aiming for 0°.
- Modified or neutral wedge osteotomies (Groups C and D) had minimal effect on tibial length, making them suitable when preservation is important.
- All techniques involved mechanical axis shifts, highlighting the importance of preoperative planning to minimize morphologic disruption.
- Supplemental fixation was standard for all procedures to reduce risks such as tibial tuberosity fracture and plateau leveling loss.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2024
Morphologic impact of four surgical techniques to correct excessive tibial plateau angle in dogs: A theoretical radiographic analysis
2024-8-VS-story-4
Quiz Results
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Key Findings
