
Your Custom Quiz
In Pilot 2022 et al., on closure methods in sternotomy, which of the following was significantly associated with an increased risk of complications?
🔍 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-2
In Takagi 2022 et al., on hepatic venous anatomy, which liver lobe exhibited the greatest variability in the number of veins draining into the left hepatic vein?
🔍 Key Findings
- Hepatic venous drainage patterns vary widely across all lobes, especially the left lateral lobe.
- Right lateral lobe had a median of 2 vessels draining directly into the caudal vena cava (CVC); range: 1–4.
- Caudate process of caudate lobe had the most variability: 1–5 vessels draining into the CVC; 2 vessels was most common (54.5%).
- Left lateral lobe drained via 2–8 veins into the left hepatic vein (LHV), with 3 veins most common (31.2%).
- Left medial lobe typically had 1 vein draining into the LHV (61% of dogs).
- Papillary process drained into the LHV in 93.5% of cases; 6.5% drained directly to the CVC.
- Quadrate lobe always had 1 vessel draining either directly to the CVC or via the LHV.
- CTA revealed more variations than previously described in plastinated or cadaveric studies, highlighting its superior value in surgical planning.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2022
Computed angiographic variations in hepatic venous vasculature in dogs
2022-4-VS-takagi-3
In Lin 2025 et al., on surgical approaches to the radius, which approach provided significantly more surface exposure?
🔍 Key Findings
- Craniolateral approach (CLA) exposed significantly more radial surface area than craniomedial approach (CMA) (19.4 cm² vs. 13.8 cm²; p = 0.01).
- Proximal width of exposure was greater in CLA, especially at 12.5% length (P2 level, p = 0.016), aiding plate placement.
- No significant difference in exposed bone length between approaches.
- CLA avoided major neurovascular structures, making dissection cleaner and safer proximally.
- CMA consistently encountered median nerve/artery/vein, complicating proximal exposure.
- CLA allowed better access to proximal radius for locking plate application, which may benefit MIPO techniques.
- CLA also enables ulna fixation via the same incision, whereas CMA requires a separate skin incision.
- Anatomical tilt of the proximal cranial surface favored CLA, requiring less plate contouring than CMA for proper fit.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
3
2025
Does the Craniolateral Approach Provide Better Exposure to the Radius than the Craniomedial Approach for Internal Fracture Fixation in Dogs?
2025-3-VCOT-lin-1
In Low 2025 et al., on machine-learning outcomes in IVDE, what was the performance of the XGBoost model when using only preoperative variables?
🔍 Key Findings
The study included 162 deep-pain-negative dogs undergoing decompressive surgery (hemilaminectomy) for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE).
Ambulatory recovery occurred in 53.1% of dogs (86/162).
The best performing machine-learning model was XGBoost, with an AUC of 0.9502 and accuracy of 89.1%, outperforming Ridge, AdaBoost, and Naive Bayes models.
Preoperative-only XGBoost models were less accurate, with AUC dropping to 0.8271 and accuracy to 71.9%.
Top predictive features (by SHAP analysis) included:
- T2-weighted to L2 spinal cord signal ratio (lower values predicted better outcome)
- Use of fenestration (presence associated with better recovery)
- Hospitalization duration
- Imaging modality used
- Duration of nonambulatory status
Machine learning provided better insight into prognostic factors than traditional statistical methods.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2025
Machine-learning-based prediction of functional recovery in deep-pain-negative dogs after decompressive thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy for acute intervertebral disc extrusion
2025-4-VS-low-5
In Dalton 2023 et al., on acetabular fracture repair, how were bone plates adapted preoperatively?
🔍 Key Findings
- Minimally invasive repair of acetabular fractures using precontoured plates on 3D-printed models is feasible and technically reproducible in dogs.
- All cadavers had fracture gaps <2 mm and step defects <1 mm, indicating accurate reduction.
- Sciatic nerve injury was minimal or absent in all cases, supporting potential neuroprotection from indirect approaches.
- Pelvic angulation was maintained <5°, confirming preservation of alignment post-reduction.
- Surgical time averaged ~46 minutes in cadavers for both approaches and repair.
- Clinical case showed good radiographic healing by 8 weeks and full union by 3 months, with early weight-bearing post-op.
- Use of locking screws improved reduction fidelity, particularly across a broad plate span.
- 3D printing accelerated surgical planning, though its necessity remains debated due to the availability and cost concerns.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2023
Minimally invasive repair of acetabular fractures in dogs: Ex vivo feasibility study and case report
2023-6-VS-dalton-5-18bf6
In Rocheleau 2025 et al., on infected total hip replacements, which pathogen was among the common isolates recovered?
🔍 Key Findings
Study Design: Case series of 8 dogs with confirmed or suspected PJI after total hip replacement (THR)
Dogs were categorized into:
- Curative intent (CI) group (n=5): short-duration infections, implant retention attempted
- Non-curative intent (NCI) group (n=3): chronic infections, implants scheduled for removal or revision
Success Rate: 7 of 8 dogs had infection resolution, including 4 of 5 in the CI group
Sampling sensitivity:
- Arthroscopic culture success was 80% in the CI group but only 33% in the NCI group
- All explanted implants from NCI group yielded positive cultures
Common isolates: Staphylococcus pseudointermedius (including MRSP), S. epidermidis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and E. coli
Ancillary treatments included:
- Partial synovectomy, high-volume lavage (5–10 L), biofilm-depleting lavage, and/or amikacin-impregnated calcium sulfate beads
Mean follow-up: >1 year (mean 812 days); no signs of recurrence in successfully treated cases
Conclusions: Arthroscopic management of THR infections is feasible and effective in appropriately selected dogs. Success aligns with human literature when infection type is favorable (Type 1, 3, 4). Sensitivity of arthroscopic culture is higher in early/acute infections.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2025
Arthroscopic sampling, diagnosis and treatment of infected total hip replacements in dogs: Eight cases
2025-4-VS-rocheleau-4
In Banks 2024 et al., what ostectomy position was associated with the most accurate postoperative TPA?
🔍 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-5
In Neal 2023 et al., on transcondylar screw placement, which method had lower screw eccentricity on the humeral condyle?
🔍 Key Findings
- Aiming device provided comparable trajectory accuracy to fluoroscopy, especially in right limbs (1.9° vs. 3.4°, p = .0128).
- Eccentricity (deviation from condylar center) was lower with fluoroscopy (3.1 mm vs 4.2 mm, p = .0017), making fluoroscopy more precise.
- Odds of joint infringement were 8× higher with the aiming device, though not statistically significant (p = .0575).
- Residents had greater screw trajectory deviation than diplomates (p = .0366), highlighting impact of experience.
- Aiming device procedures took less time than fluoroscopy in some scenarios, particularly for right limbs with right-handed surgeons.
- Fluoroscopic procedures had more pin/drill attempts, increasing risk of glove puncture and potential aseptic breaks.
- Mean deviation angles in both groups (<3.5°) were within acceptable range to avoid intracondylar fracture gap.
- Cadaver model used large-breed, healthy adult dogs, not small-breed immature dogs, limiting generalizability.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2023
The effect of an aiming device on the accuracy of humeral transcondylar screw placement
2023-4-VS-neal-2
In Ritson 2025 et al., on feline hilar lobectomy sealants, what **pressure level** was used as the endpoint for leak testing?
🔍 Key Findings
- No leakage occurred using pretied ligature loops (PLL) or double-shank (DS) titanium clips up to 40 cm H₂O airway pressure.
- 1/10 stapled lobes leaked at supraphysiologic pressure (40 cm H₂O), but this was not statistically significant (p = .33).
- All techniques sealed effectively under physiologic and supraphysiologic pressures in cadaveric feline lungs.
- PLL and DS clips required less working space than staplers, making them more practical for small thoracic cavities.
- DS titanium clips offer enhanced security due to dual shanks and tissue-gripping design, reducing clip slippage.
- Leak testing was cyclic and submerged, simulating physiologic ventilation and allowing robust evaluation.
- Stapling failure occurred along the staple line, highlighting risks of air leakage due to staple misalignment or poor hilar access.
- PLL and DS clips may be cost-effective and efficient alternatives for open or minimally invasive feline lung lobectomy.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2025
Ex vivo comparative evaluation of feline hilar lung lobectomy using linear stapler, pretied ligature loop, and double-shank titanium clips
2025-7-VS-ritson-5
In Nash 2024 et al., on esophageal acid exposure, what cumulative exposure was considered physiologic for distal esophagus?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- Population: 35 nonbrachycephalic dogs undergoing orthopedic procedures (TPLO)
- Study design: Prospective observational using transnasal Digitrapper dual-sensor pH probe after short TIVA
- Upper reference limits:
- Distal GER events per hour: 2.4
- Proximal GER events per hour: 0.4
- Cumulative distal acid exposure: 2.3%
- Cumulative proximal acid exposure: 0%
- Median values (normal):
- Distal GER events per hour: 0.3
- Proximal GER events per hour: 0
- Proximal GER observed in 12/31 dogs
- No regurgitation observed in any dog
- No major adverse events with probe use
- Clinical implication: These parameters provide a reference for assessing excessive GER in future canine surgical cases
Veterinary Surgery
1
2024
Esophageal pH‐monitoring in nonbrachycephalic dogs; a reference
2024-1-VS-nash-2
Quiz Results
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Key Findings
