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In Larose 2024 et al., on laparoscopic liver biopsies in dogs, what biopsy surface area was associated with a 98% probability of obtaining ≥11 portal triads?
🔍 Key Findings
- Histologic agreement between 3 mm and 5 mm biopsies was 90%, with a Gwet's AC1 of 0.81 (p < .0001).
- 5 mm biopsies yielded significantly more portal triads and lobules than 3 mm samples (p = .0003 and p < .0001).
- Crush artifacts were significantly higher in 3 mm samples (p = .035), though fragmentation scores were similar (p = .935).
- Both forceps produced adequate samples for histopathology, copper quantification, and bacterial culture.
- No hemorrhage requiring intervention occurred, and both sizes were deemed safe and minimally invasive.
- Surface area ≥40 mm² strongly predicted ≥11 portal triads, a desirable threshold for reliable histopathology.
- Use of 3 mm instruments was easier in small dogs (<12 kg), but more challenging in larger dogs due to shaft length.
- Clinical diagnoses were unaffected by forceps size, even in the one discordant histologic pair.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Comparing 3 mm and 5 mm laparoscopic liver biopsy samples in dogs
2024-4-VS-larose1-2
In Winston 2023 et al., on LES-AS surgery outcomes, what percentage of dogs experienced complications related to gastrostomy tubes?
🔍 Key Findings
- Modified Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication improved vomiting/regurgitation scores by 180%, QoL by 100%, and owner-perceived body weight by 63% (P < .05).
- 6 of 9 dogs with postoperative VFSS showed objective improvement in gastric filling scores; others remained stable.
- Oral sildenafil was discontinued postoperatively in all dogs, indicating surgical success comparable to medical management.
- 12 of 13 dogs survived to discharge; one dog was euthanized due to aspiration pneumonia postoperatively.
- 50% of dogs experienced gastrostomy tube complications, higher than reported in previous literature.
- Most complications were gastrostomy-tube related, with some requiring surgical correction (e.g., tube migration, leakage).
- Feeding strategies (Bailey chair, elevated bowls) and food consistency (gruel/liquid) remained essential postoperatively to control regurgitation.
- 9 of 11 owners would opt for the surgery again; those who wouldn’t cited risk or lack of efficacy.
Veterinary Surgery
2
2023
Management and outcomes of 13 dogs treated with a modified Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for lower esophageal sphincter achalasia-like syndrome
2023-2-VS-winston-1
In David 2024 et al., on single-port cryptorchidectomy, why was a 6 mmHg capnoperitoneum preferred?
🔍 Key Findings
- Single-port laparoscopic-assisted cryptorchidectomy (SP-LAC) was feasible in 13/14 dogs with abdominal cryptorchidism.
- Median surgical time was 17 min for unilateral and 27 min for bilateral cryptorchidectomy.
- All testes were successfully exteriorized through a 15-mm mini-celiotomy in most dogs; only 2 needed slight enlargement.
- One major complication occurred (testicular artery hemorrhage, requiring conversion to open surgery).
- Two minor complications involved trocar-related issues (splenic capsule laceration, capnoretroperitoneum).
- No incisional complications were reported postoperatively; some dogs had mild dermatitis at the clipped site.
- The technique requires only one surgeon and no advanced tools beyond a single-port endoscope.
- Low-pressure capnoperitoneum (6 mmHg) was adequate for visualization in most cases.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2024
Single-port laparoscopic-assisted abdominal cryptorchidectomy in 14 dogs
2024-3-VS-david-5
In Rocheleau 2024 et al., on arthroscopic meniscal suturing, what is a proposed benefit of meniscal preservation over meniscectomy?
🔍 Key Findings
- Arthroscopic meniscal suturing was performed in 43 client-owned dogs, involving 44 meniscal repairs (one dog was bilateral). All injuries involved the caudal horn of the medial meniscus and were associated with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) disease.
- All dogs underwent simultaneous TPLO, with some also receiving an internal brace (IB). Most repairs used simple vertical mattress sutures.
- The overall complication rate was 34.1% (15/44). Most complications were attributed to the TPLO/TPLO+IB and did not compromise the meniscal repair outcome.
- No median time to “acceptable” or “full” function was reported, but most dogs showed improvement in lameness and LOAD scores (p < .001), indicating good to excellent outcomes.
- Meniscal repair success rate was 88% (38/44), with TPLO + IB outperforming TPLO-only (93.3% vs 71.4%). Follow-up was performed at 8 weeks (40 dogs) and 6 months (16 dogs).
- Six failures occurred, all managed with arthroscopic meniscectomy, leading to normal activity in those dogs. Two IB-associated failures led to CrCL instability.
- The authors concluded the technique was safe, practical, and effective, with a reasonable complication rate.
- The findings support arthroscopic suturing as a feasible alternative to meniscectomy or meniscal release, offering long-term benefits for preserving the meniscus.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Short‐term outcomes of 43 dogs treated with arthroscopic suturing for meniscal tears
2024-5-VS-rocheleau-5
In Hawker 2025 et al., on locking head inserts, what was the impact of LHI on plate strain in a fracture-gap model?
🔍 Key Findings
- Adding Locking Head Inserts (LHI) to a 3.5-mm LCP had no effect on plate strain, stiffness, or deformation in an open fracture gap model.
- Peak strain consistently occurred at the Combi-hole over the fracture gap, with values up to ~1837 µε.
- No significant difference in strain was found across configurations with 0, 3, or 9 LHI (p = 0.847).
- Construct stiffness and compressive displacement also remained unchanged regardless of LHI count (p = 0.311 and 0.069 respectively).
- Study contradicted the hypothesis that LHI would reduce strain and increase stiffness under biologic loading.
- Combi-hole design may limit the efficacy of LHI, as LHI only fill the locking portion, not the compression side where strain peaks.
- Implant fatigue risk remains highest over unfilled screw holes, especially over fracture sites—confirming previous failure patterns.
- Surgeons should consider alternative methods to reduce strain when facing high implant load scenarios.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
4
2025
The Effect of Locking Head Inserts on the Biomechanical Properties of a 3.5-mm Broad Locking Compression Plate When Used in an Open Fracture-Gap Model
2025-4-VCOT-hawker-1
In Williams 2024 et al., on breed effects, which breed exhibited significantly greater hemorrhage, even after normalization?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded controlled trial
- Population: 32 brachycephalic dogs undergoing cut-and-sew sharp staphylectomy
- Groups: Adrenaline + lidocaine (Group A) vs. Lidocaine only (Group NA)
- Main Findings:
- Total hemorrhage significantly lower in Group A (median 1.82 g) vs Group NA (7.95 g); p = .013
- Normalized hemorrhage significantly lower in Group A; p = .021
- Surgeon-assigned hemorrhage scores significantly lower in Group A; p = .029
- No adverse effects (tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia, etc.) noted from adrenaline use
- Breed effect: English Bulldogs bled more overall even after normalization
- Clinical Implication: Adrenaline in nerve blocks reduces hemorrhage without added risk
Veterinary Surgery
1
2024
Evaluation of the addition of adrenaline in a bilateral maxillary nerve block to reduce hemorrhage in dogs undergoing sharp staphylectomy for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. A prospective, randomized study
2024-1-VS-williams-4
In Devriendt 2022 et al., on EHPSS blood testing, which single test had the highest **specificity** for confirming shunt closure after surgery?
🔍 Key Findings
- Fasting ammonia (FA) was the most specific test (100%) for confirming EHPSS closure postoperatively.
- Serum hyaluronic acid (SHA) and MEGX at 15 minutes post-lidocaine were the most sensitive tests (96.9% and 96.2%, respectively).
- SHA combined with MEGX T15, or with FA or postprandial serum bile acids (SBA), provided 100% sensitivity with good specificity (72.4–82.8%).
- SHA levels remained elevated in all dogs with persistent shunting, even when other tests were normal.
- Paired SBA had moderate sensitivity (90%) and variable specificity (89%).
- The L/MEGX test at 30 min was less useful than at 15 min for assessing closure.
- Traditional SBA testing showed reduced utility postoperatively; normal values did not rule out persistent shunting.
- Blood tests improved when combined, but imaging remains essential to definitively confirm EHPSS closure.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2022
Evaluation of different blood tests in dogs with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts to assess shunt closure after surgical treatment
2022-7-VS-devriendt-1
In Muroi 2025 et al., on refracture risk, what screw-to-bone diameter ratio (SBDR) is suggested as a **threshold** for increased refracture risk in growing dogs?
🔍 Key Findings
- Refracture occurred in 5.5% of limbs, with higher incidence in the plate removal group (12.5%) vs. non-removal (3.5%).
- In the non-plate removal group, refractures occurred at the most distal screw site, linked to greater screw position change during growth (OR 1.79, p=0.04).
- Screw-to-bone diameter ratio (SBDR) >0.4 was a significant risk factor for refracture in the plate retention group.
- In the plate removal group, refractures occurred at the original fracture site, associated with lower pixel value ratio (bone mineral density) and reduced radial thickness.
- Implant-induced osteoporosis (IIO) beneath the plate likely contributed to refracture risk after plate removal.
- Younger age at fracture (<6 months) was associated with higher refracture risk due to ongoing radial growth and shifting screw position.
- No significant association was found between refracture and plate type (locking vs conventional), fixation method, or ulnar union.
- Recommendations include careful SBDR sizing, motion restriction, and cautious plate removal decisions in growing dogs.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
2
2025
A Retrospective Study of Risk Factors Associated with Refracture after Repair of Radial–Ulnar Fractures in Small-Breed Dogs
2025-2-VCOT-muroi-2
In Heikkilä 2024 et al., on COPLA scaffold evaluation, which parameter improved significantly only in unilaterally operated COPLA limbs?
🔍 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-3
In Lu 2025 et al., on SOP constructs, what was the effect of bending tees on **craniocaudal bending stiffness**?
🔍 Key Findings
- Bending tees significantly increased mediolateral bending stiffness, but not craniocaudal stiffness, in plate-bone constructs.
- Mean mediolateral stiffness was 43.2 N/mm with tees vs. 41.1 N/mm without (p = 0.0042), though the absolute difference was small.
- No significant differences were found in craniocaudal bending stiffness between constructs with or without tees (p = 0.89).
- Plastic deformation occurred in all constructs; no screw pull-out or implant breakage was observed.
- SOP nodes may resist compressive but not tensile deformation, suggesting variable mechanical contributions depending on loading direction.
- Craniocaudal bending had greater stiffness than mediolateral due to higher area moment of inertia along the node diameter.
- Clinical relevance of added stiffness from tees remains unclear, warranting further in vivo and cyclic testing.
- This was the first study to directly test SOP constructs with/without tees over a fracture gap in multiple planes.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
2
2025
Comparison of Bending Stiffness between String of Pearls Plate-Bone Substitute Constructs with and without Bending Tees in a Fracture Gap Model
2025-2-VCOT-lu-1
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