🔍 Key Findings

• Remote respiratory function grading (RFG) had poor to moderate reliability compared to in-person assessment.
• Expert graders had higher agreement with in-person scores than novices (Cohen’s kappa 0.37–0.48 vs. 0.21–0.47).
• Interobserver agreement was moderate among experts (Fleiss’ kappa = 0.59) and poor among novices (Fleiss’ kappa = 0.39).
• Remote recordings suffered from background noise, short clip durations, and technical limitations of electronic stethoscope recordings.
• Final RFG scores were based on the highest grade across categories (respiratory noise, inspiratory effort, dyspnea/cyanosis/syncope).
• Clinical impact: Only in-person grading reliably supports decisions for surgical intervention or breeding restrictions.

🔍 Key Findings

• Double forwarder (DF) knots had significantly higher knot holding capacity (KHC) than square (SQ) and surgeon’s (SU) knots when tied with <6 throws.
• In 3 USP polyglactin 910, DF knots with 4–5 throws were not significantly stronger than SU knots with 6–8 throws (p > .43).
• DF knots never unraveled, while SQ and SU knots with 4–5 throws showed substantial unraveling.
• KHC did not increase in DF knots when throws increased from 3 to 5.
• Knot volume and weight were significantly higher in DF knots than SQ/SU knots at the same throw count (p < .003).
• DF knots allow sliding placement, potentially useful in minimally invasive or deep cavity procedures.

🔍 Key Findings

• Remote respiratory function grading (RFG) had poor to moderate reliability compared to in-person assessment.
• Expert graders had higher agreement with in-person scores than novices (Cohen’s kappa 0.37–0.48 vs. 0.21–0.47).
• Interobserver agreement was moderate among experts (Fleiss’ kappa = 0.59) and poor among novices (Fleiss’ kappa = 0.39).
• Remote recordings suffered from background noise, short clip durations, and technical limitations of electronic stethoscope recordings.
• Final RFG scores were based on the highest grade across categories (respiratory noise, inspiratory effort, dyspnea/cyanosis/syncope).
• Clinical impact: Only in-person grading reliably supports decisions for surgical intervention or breeding restrictions.

🔍 Key Findings

• Endoscopic excisional biopsy of axillary lymph nodes was successfully performed in cadavers and clinical dogs with minimal complications.
• The technique used a SILS port and CO₂ insufflation through a small incision between the latissimus dorsi and superficial pectorals.
• In 4 cadavers (6 limbs), mean time to remove axillary nodes was 33 minutes, and single nodes were found in 5/6 limbs.
• In 3 clinical dogs, the procedure was successful in 2 cases; 1 required conversion to open surgery due to difficulty manipulating the node.
• Accessory axillary nodes were successfully excised when present, located adherent to deep latissimus dorsi.
• No cases developed lymphedema, pneumothorax, or major complications postoperatively.
• Subjective benefits included better visualization, reduced dissection, and less postoperative morbidity than open techniques.
• Study suggests MIS lymphadenectomy may improve staging accuracy and reduce complications, though larger studies are needed.

🔍 Key Findings

Study design: Randomized cadaveric comparison (n=20 dogs; ILR vs PDR)

Approaches:

• ILR = Intercostal in Left Lateral Recumbency (no OLV required)
• PDR = Paraxiphoid in Dorsal Recumbency (traditional)

Outcomes:

• Pericardiectomy time was shorter for ILR (p = .045)
• Pericardial fragment size was significantly larger in PDR group (p = .004; 23.21 cm² difference)
• Visibility and cardiac exposure were superior in PDR group

Feasibility:

• ILR approach was consistently successful in achieving partial pericardiectomy
• Bilateral ventilation was adequate; no need for OLV

Clinical relevance:

• ILR may improve efficiency when paired with TDL
• PDR remains preferable for cases requiring maximal pericardial resection

🔍 Key Findings

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was successfully performed in all 22 cats without conversion to open surgery.
• Complication rate was low: 3 cats had postoperative complications (1 seroma, 1 vomiting, 1 EHBDO and death).
• Median operating time was 41 minutes; median hospitalization was 3 days.
• No cases required conversion to open laparotomy, even in cats as small as 2.5 kg.
• Common devices used: Hemoclips or Hem-o-lok for cystic duct ligation; Ligasure, harmonic scalpel, or j-hook for dissection.
• Most common indications: cholelithiasis (9/22) and cholecystitis (10/22), with one biliary mucocele and one adenoma.
• Histopathology confirmed diagnosis in all cases; concurrent liver or intestinal biopsies were performed in some cats.
• Postoperative AUS and bloodwork were routine and important for detecting early signs of EHBDO.

🔍 Key Findings

• Esophageal pH-monitoring was well tolerated in all 35 nonbrachycephalic dogs, with no major adverse events reported.
• Distal GER occurred in 80% of dogs, but events were typically brief and non-productive; proximal GER occurred in only 39%.
• Upper reference limits for GER were 2.4 events/hour (distal) and 0.4 events/hour (proximal).
• Cumulative acid exposure was minimal: upper limits were 2.3% (distal) and 0% (proximal).
• Comparison with brachycephalic dogs shows significantly higher GER frequency and duration, validating the diagnostic utility of pH monitoring.
• Transnasal probe placement under light anesthesia was safe and less morbid compared to percutaneous or conscious techniques.
• No expelled or productive regurgitation occurred, despite some GER events, indicating efficient esophageal clearance in healthy dogs.
• Diet and fasting duration may affect GER, but these were not controlled variables in this study.

🔍 Key Findings

• 3D-printed drill guides (3D-GDT) significantly reduced craniocaudal and dorsoventral drilling angle deviation compared to free-hand drilling technique (FHDT), with statistical significance (p < .0001 and p = .01 respectively).
• No sacral corridor breaches occurred with 3D-GDT, whereas FHDT resulted in 20% drill exit incidences (3/15 cases).
• 3D-GDT had lower deviation from optimal drill trajectory at end points in all axes: craniocaudal (1.84 ± 1.6 mm vs. 4.18 ± 2.4 mm), dorsoventral (1.11 ± 1.0 mm vs. 2.4 ± 1.5 mm), and 3D linear (2.47 ± 1.4 mm vs. 5.35 ± 2.2 mm), all statistically significant.
• Strong correlation (r = 0.77) between CT and 3D software measurements validated method reliability.
• 3D guide trajectories showed consistent proximity to the optimal trajectory, especially at drill endpoints, indicating reduced variability in execution.
• 3D-GDT was developed using open-source software and inexpensive materials, supporting future clinical application.
• Major errors in FHDT occurred primarily at the drill endpoint, underscoring the challenge of maintaining optimal angulation during free-hand drilling.
• The sacral corridor was recharacterized as pyramidal (not quadrilateral), with implications for safer implant placement.

🔍 Key Findings

• No infections (0/102) occurred in cases where preclosure povidone-iodine lavage (PrePIL) was used, compared to 21/2111 (0.99%) with saline lavage.
• Break-even cost for PrePIL was calculated at $49.74, while the actual cost was only $2.07, confirming strong cost-effectiveness.
• No adverse reactions or healing complications were reported in the 102 PrePIL cases.
• The PrePIL protocol used 0.35% povidone-iodine for 3 minutes before closure, followed by sterile saline lavage.
• Majority of THRs (97%) used cementless fixation (BFX) in PrePIL group; only 3 cases used CFX components.
• Surgeries followed consistent perioperative antibiotic protocols, making PrePIL the only major protocol variable.
• Antibiotics were not added to lavage, aligning with WHO and CDC guidelines for antimicrobial stewardship.
• The infection reduction with PrePIL supports routine use in total hip replacement to reduce periprosthetic joint infections.