🔍 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

• 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.

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• No significant difference in cardiac troponin I levels 12h post-op between mDN and St. Thomas cardioplegia groups (p = 0.478)
• Sinus rhythm returned faster in the mDN group after aortic cross-clamp removal (median 60s vs 362s, p = 0.027)
• Lower serum potassium at cross-clamp removal in the mDN group (median 4.5 mEq/L vs 5.4, p = 0.005)
• Fewer doses needed in the mDN group (median 2.5 vs 4.0, p = 0.040)
• Higher total crystalloid volume used in mDN group (23.6 vs 12.6 mL/kg, p < 0.001)
• No difference in survival (700-day survival 90% in both groups, p = 0.958)
• No difference in hospitalization duration (median 6 days for both, p = 0.789)
• Echocardiographic remodeling similar between groups at 24h post-op

🔍 Key Findings

• Roux-en-Y procedures were successfully completed in all 11 cases (6 dogs, 5 cats), despite case complexity and disease severity.
• Median survival post-discharge was longer in cats (365 days) vs. dogs (82 days), with better outcomes in non-neoplastic vs. neoplastic disease (192 vs. 5 days).
• Complication rate was high, with septic peritonitis, dehiscence, and cardiac arrest as leading causes of postoperative death; mortality rate = 36%.
• Dehiscence rate was 8.6% (2 of 23 anastomoses), considered lower than typical rates for GI anastomoses in high-risk patients.
• Feeding tubes (gastrostomy/jejunostomy) were used in all cases, enabling early nutritional support and stomach decompression.
• Postoperative nausea and vomiting were common but mostly self-limiting; managed with metoclopramide, cisapride, and antiemetics.
• Choledochojejunostomy was preferred when common bile duct was dilated, offering a favorable size match and potentially reducing bile leakage.
• Roux-en-Y reduced typical Billroth II complications (e.g., bile reflux, afferent loop syndrome, dumping syndrome), with none observed in discharged patients.

🔍 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.

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• 63 dogs ≥15 kg with single EHPSS were reviewed.
• Most common breeds: Golden Retriever (28.6%), mixed breed (20.6%).
• Most common shunt types: splenocaval (25.4%) and portocaval (25.4%).
• 45 dogs received surgical attenuation; 18 were medically managed.
• 6.7% (3/45) of surgically treated dogs died due to shunt-related complications; 22.2% (4/18) of medically managed dogs died.
• Hypoplastic portal vein was noted in 52.9% of dogs where portal anatomy was described.
• 37.5% of surviving attenuated dogs were weaned off all medical management.
• Attenuated dogs had higher 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates (89%, 77%, 77%) than nonattenuated dogs (82%, 49%, 24%).

🔍 Key Findings

• The survey included 111 practicing surgeons and 28 residents from ACVS, ECVS, and ANZCVS. 98.2% had performed soft tissue minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
• In the past year, surgeons reported a median caseload of 90% basic laparoscopy, 0% advanced laparoscopy, and 10% thoracoscopy; for residents: 100% basic laparoscopy, 0% advanced, 0% thoracoscopy.
• Laparoscopic ovariectomy and OHE were the most commonly performed MIS procedures, with most respondents proficient in basic laparoscopy, but few performing advanced laparoscopy or thoracoscopy.
• Top barriers to MIS adoption were: lack of consistent caseload, lack of training, difficult learning curve, equipment limitations, and cost.
• 76.6% of surgeons and 92.9% of residents received MIS training during residency. Those trained had completed residency median 6 years ago, compared to 22 years ago for those without MIS training (p < .001). Perceived adequate training correlated with higher proficiency.
• MIS was recognized as having a steep learning curve, but patient benefits (mean score 4.0/5) were the top motivation — less pain, faster recovery, improved visualization.
• The authors conclude basic laparoscopy is widely adopted, but advanced and thoracoscopic MIS remain underutilized. Training and access are key to future growth.
• Expanded training and improved access to equipment are necessary to promote broader integration of MIS into veterinary soft-tissue surgery.

🔍 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.