🔍 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

• Oxley's modified CCWO did not achieve the target TPA of 5° in most cases, even with planning.
• Mean planned TPA was 7.6°, higher than target, and consistent across dog sizes.
• Postoperative TPAs were significantly higher in small dogs (median 7°) than in large dogs (median 4.5°).
• Distalization >7.5 mm of the osteotomy from the patellar tendon led to increased under-correction of TPA.
• Only dogs with preoperative TPA >35° achieved post-planning TPAs close to the 5° target.
• Postoperative osteotomy positions were generally more distal than recommended (8.6 mm median).
• Virtual plate fit was appropriate for all dogs at 5 mm or 7.5 mm positions, suggesting no need for excessive distalization.
• Excessive correction leading to negative TPAs occurred in some cases, risking caudal cruciate ligament strain.

🔍 Key Findings

• A novel caudo-medial arthroscopic portal allowed visualization of previously undescribed cartilage lesions on the caudal medial humeral condyle.
• A consistent focal cartilage lesion (HA lesion) was observed in 100% of elbows with HIF (21/21), but in none of the 31 elbows without HIF.
• Lesions varied from indentations to full-thickness cartilage loss, typically elliptical and located just medial to the humeral condyle isthmus.
• A clunk-like sensation and dynamic engagement of the anconeal process into the lesion were observed in 16/21 elbows with HIF during elbow manipulation.
• In 5/21 elbows, engagement of the anconeal process led to observable widening of the HIF line, suggesting dynamic instability.
• Findings support a novel concept of humero-anconeal incongruity as a contributor to the pathogenesis of HIF.
• Spaniel breed was not a confounder—the lesion was only present in elbows with HIF, regardless of breed.
• The study suggests potential for using arthroscopy as a screening tool for early detection of humero-anconeal incongruity and HIF risk.

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• 3D CT volume rendering and CAL measurement successfully guided correction of femoral and tibial torsion in dogs with patellar luxation (PL).
• Physiological patellar tracking was restored in 100% (22/22) of cases after detorsional osteotomy.
• 94% of dogs (17/18) had either full or acceptable functional outcomes post-surgery.
• CAL-based correction was accurate in 19/22 cases, confirming reliability of the measurement technique.
• Complication rate was 45%, with major complications in 2/22 cases—both involved combined femoral and tibial osteotomies.
• Combined femoral and tibial osteotomies in the same limb were linked to a higher risk of complications and poorer outcomes.
• Diaphyseal osteotomies offered more implant space, but metaphyseal locations were associated with faster bone healing.
• Use of a TPLO jig or goniometer was not essential—CAL-based bone marking was sufficient in most cases.

🔍 Key Findings

• Postoperative complications occurred in 20% of stifles, including 7.5% minor, 10.3% surgical, and 3.4% medical complications.
• The PROSPECT machine-learning model achieved high predictive accuracy: 92.3% for surgical complications, 91.9% for minor, and 94.3% for medical.
• Top predictive features included surgical technique, implant type, patient age, and surgeon identity.
• Surgeon-specific variables influenced predictions, indicating operator experience and technique matter.
• Engineered interaction features (e.g., breed × implant) were more predictive than raw clinical data alone.
• Rottweiler, intact male status, and higher bodyweight were associated with increased complication risk; Labradors had decreased risk.
• Model calibration was strong, especially for high and low probability predictions; midrange predictions were less reliable.
• The model supports individualized, probabilistic risk assessment, which could inform client counseling and tailored postoperative care.

PROSPECT = Predicting Risk Of Surgical compli­cations aftEr CCWO and TPLO

🔍 Key Findings

• Only 2 of 10 PET implants were fully intact and functional at 6 months post-op.
• Owner-reported function (LOAD scores) improved by 51.7% (p = .008) over 6 months.
• Gait asymmetry improved by 86% (p = .002) postoperatively.
• Implant failure occurred in the midbody of the PET device, suggesting fatigue as a failure mechanism.
• One dog (10%) developed implant infection, necessitating implant removal.
• Implant fixation method (screws + washers + interference screw) was mechanically adequate and technically simple.
• Partially intact implants (4/10) still showed improved clinical outcomes, despite structural compromise.
• Midbody tearing and lack of long-term integrity prohibit continued use of this PET implant in CCL repair.

🔍 Key Findings

• Bilateral radial head OCD lesions were identified in a 6-month-old English Bulldog with elbow lameness.
• Medial arthroscopic portals allowed only partial visualization of radial head lesions, insufficient for treatment.
• Lateral arthroscopy portals provided excellent access for fragment removal and abrasion arthroplasty.
• Histopathology confirmed OCD, showing cartilage degeneration and retained cartilaginous cores.
• Dog showed complete resolution of lameness and no elbow pain at 5 months post-op.
• Lesions were caudolateral on the radial head, with discoid elevation of cartilage and clefts.
• Lateral approach avoids major neurovascular structures, reducing iatrogenic risk.
• The authors suggest lateral elbow arthroscopy may have broader indications, including for medial compartment disease or synovial biopsies.

🔍 Key Findings

• MEFF occurred in 11.4% (10/88 elbows) following medial-to-lateral transcondylar screw placement in dogs with HIF.
• Screw size to condylar height ratio >41% significantly increased MEFF risk (P = .004, OR 1.52).
• MEFF was not recognized intraoperatively in 60% of cases and was only seen on follow-up or retrospective imaging review.
• Screw loosening was the most common complication (11.2%), observed both with and without MEFF.
• MEFF tended to increase the risk of screw loosening (P = .06), but was not statistically significant.
• Most MEFFs did not require treatment and healed radiographically by 14–17 weeks in monitored cases.
• Shaft screws were used in all MEFF cases, but shaft vs cortical design was not significantly associated with MEFF.
• The clinical impact of MEFF was minor in most cases, although long-term significance is unknown.