Quiz Question
In Zann 2023 et al., on proximal humeral OC surgery, how did peak vertical force and vertical impulse compare between limbs?
🔍 Key Findings
- All dogs developed progressive osteoarthritis (OA) after surgical debridement of proximal humeral OC.
- Ipsilateral muscle atrophy and reduced shoulder range of motion were common, particularly in unilaterally affected dogs.
- Arthroscopically, lesions showed incomplete cartilage infilling even years after surgery, averaging only ~37% infilling.
- Synovitis was present in all joints, with moderate-to-severe hypertrophy and vascularity scores.
- CT identified OC lesions as deeper and wider than radiography, and all affected joints had more advanced OA than contralateral limbs (P = .001 radiograph, P = .005 CT).
- Kinetic gait analysis showed no significant differences in peak vertical force or impulse, but a subtle 4.4% asymmetric load reduction on the operated limb.
- Median LOAD score was 6, indicating mild owner-perceived disability despite measurable clinical and imaging abnormalities.
- Cartilage infilling was incomplete in all cases, with no lesion exceeding 60% restoration, raising questions about the healing potential of debridement alone.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2023
Long-term outcome of dogs treated by surgical debridement of proximal humeral osteochondrosis
2023-6-VS-zann-5
In Chan 2025 et al., on partial cuneiformectomy in BOAS dogs, what was the effect of cuneiformectomy on postoperative complication rates compared to multilevel airway surgery alone?
🔍 Key Findings
- Partial cuneiformectomy (PC) did not increase complication rates compared to multilevel surgery alone (overall complications: PC = 16.3%, non-PC = 19.4%; p = .758).
- Major complication rates were not significantly different (PC = 11.6%, non-PC = 7.4%; p = .482).
- Significant improvement in BOAS grade was observed in dogs undergoing PC (p < .0001).
- BOAS index improved significantly in both groups, with greater median reduction in the PC group (28.5%) than non-PC (20.7%) (p < .0001).
- Low body condition score (BCS <4) was significantly associated with higher complication rates (odds ratio = 0.452; p = .004).
- Hospitalization duration did not differ between groups (median = 1 day; p = .743).
- Mortality was low (3.5%) in the PC group despite more severe airway disease, suggesting the technique is safe even in advanced collapse.
- The technique widened the rima glottidis without damaging surrounding structures, reducing airflow resistance and preserving laryngeal function.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2025
Complication rate and outcomes of laryngeal cuneiformectomy in dogs with advanced laryngeal collapse
2025-6-VS-chan-1
In Turner 2025 et al., on TPA changes after SH-1/2 fracture repair, what does the study suggest regarding further surgery when TPA remains high immediately postoperatively?
🔍 Key Findings
- TPA decreased significantly from preoperative to follow-up (mean 5.89°; p < 0.001), and from immediate postoperative to follow-up (mean 2.2°; p = 0.018)
- Use of tension band in addition to K-wires did not significantly improve TPA reduction compared to K-wires alone
- Cranial K-wire positioning may attenuate growth at the cranial tibial physis, allowing relative caudal growth to reduce TPA over time
- Dynamic TPA reduction may reduce risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture even when initial TPA is high
- Small breeds (e.g., French Bulldogs) were overrepresented; further research is needed in larger breeds with more growth potential
- Surgical reduction is difficult, but perfect alignment may not be essential if TPA reduces postoperatively
- Radiographic TPA measurement was reliably performed with low interobserver variability
- K-wire removal at 3–8 weeks may facilitate continued growth in growing dogs
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
5
2025
Tibial Plateau Angle Changes following Repair of Salter–Harris Type 1 and 2 Fractures in Dogs
2025-5-VCOT-turner-4
In Simpson 2022 et al., on feline cholecystectomy outcomes, what was the survival rate to hospital discharge?
🔍 Key Findings
- Cholelithiasis was the most common indication for cholecystectomy in cats.
- Perioperative complications were frequent, with intraoperative hypotension in all recorded cases and postoperative anemia in 14 cats.
- Perioperative mortality was 21.7%, lower than historical rates for feline biliary surgery.
- 78.3% of cats survived to discharge, and 83.3% of those lived >6 months; 44.4% survived >3 years.
- Vomiting was the most common short- and long-term complication, though most cats were medically managed.
- Concurrent EHBDO was not a contraindication provided CBD patency was restored.
- Positive bacterial cultures were found in 15 cats, with E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis most common.
- Owner-reported outcomes were excellent in all cats that survived long-term.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2022
Cholecystectomy in 23 cats (2005‐2021)
2022-1-VS-simpson-4
In Buote 2023 et al., on 3D printed cannulas, what issue occurred during live case 1 involving insufflation?
🔍 Key Findings
- Customized 3D printed cannulas (3DPCs) significantly reduced surgical time in feline cadaver models (125.6 vs. 95.2 min, p = 0.03).
- Use of 3DPCs resulted in a reduction in instrument collisions (6.8 vs. 2.6, p = 0.03).
- Cannula pullout complications decreased with 3DPCs (10 vs. 2.2 per procedure, p = 0.03).
- 3DPCs were designed at shorter lengths (3 cm), improving intra-abdominal working space in cats.
- No incisional or postoperative complications occurred in the two live feline cases.
- One 3DPC insufflation port broke intraoperatively; resolved by using a male luer lock connector in the next case.
- CO₂ leakage occurred from re-used silicone valves in 2 ports; emphasizing the need for durable valve design.
- Estimated cost per 3DPC was <$5.00, suggesting cost-effective customization for feline laparoscopy.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2023
3D printed cannulas for use in laparoscopic surgery in feline patients: A cadaveric study and case series
2023-7-VS-buote-3
In Veytsman 2023 et al., on feline insulinoma outcomes, what percentage of cats survived to hospital discharge?
🔍 Key Findings
- Surgical excision of insulinomas resulted in euglycemia or hyperglycemia in 90% of cats immediately post-op.
- 18/20 cats (90%) survived to hospital discharge, with a median survival time of 863 days.
- Younger age, metastasis at surgery, tumor invasion, and lower glucose levels were negative prognostic factors.
- Two cats had stage III disease with metastasis; one lived 413 days post-op, suggesting some benefit to surgery even in advanced disease.
- Postoperative hypoglycemia and seizure activity were associated with poorer outcomes; one cat euthanized due to seizures despite euglycemia.
- Median disease-free interval (DFI) was 1052 days; for cats with metastasis, DFI dropped to 93 days.
- Partial pancreatectomy was performed in 11 cats, nodulectomy in 10, and enucleation in 1; method of resection not linked to outcome.
- Postoperative complications occurred in 25% of cats; most were manageable with supportive care.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2023
Retrospective study of 20 cats surgically treated for insulinoma
2023-1-VS-veytsman-4
In Rocheleau 2023 et al., on shoulder stabilization, which stabilization technique showed a statistically significant reduction in abduction angle postoperatively?
🔍 Key Findings
- Arthroscopically assisted stabilization with an IAD was feasible in cadaveric canine shoulders using both bone anchor and suture-toggle techniques.
- Suture-toggle repair was successfully performed in all specimens, while bone anchors could not be deployed in 3/10 shoulders, indicating lower feasibility.
- Median surgical time was shorter for the suture-toggle group (25.5 min) compared to the anchor group (37.3 min).
- Postoperative abduction angles returned to baseline in the anchor group, while the suture-toggle group had slightly reduced angles, suggesting possible overtightening.
- Violation of the articular surface occurred in 2 anchor specimens and 1 suture-toggle specimen, but none were considered likely to be clinically significant.
- Overall targeting accuracy using the IAD was 88%, supporting its utility in guiding tunnel/anchor placement.
- CT measurements showed acceptable bone stock and insertion angles, but anchor insertion angles were lower than optimal for mechanical pullout strength.
- Suture-toggle technique was considered simpler and more consistent, with fewer complications and faster execution than anchor placement.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2023
Ex vivo evaluation of arthroscopically assisted shoulder stabilization in dogs using an intra-articular aiming device
2023-4-VS-rocheleau-3
In Walker 2022 et al., on TPLO mRUST scoring, which of the following was associated with **lower** mRUST scores?
🔍 Key Findings
- TPLO mRUST scoring showed improved inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.56) compared to subjective evaluation (Kappa = 0.33).
- Intra-rater reliability was similar for both methods (TPLO mRUST: 0.73, subjective: 0.72).
- TPLO mRUST scores ≥10/12 strongly correlated with radiographic union, as subjectively assessed (99% agreement).
- No significant difference in healing between first and second TPLO sides (P = .09), countering assumptions about load-bearing impact.
- Higher initial lameness scores and younger age were associated with higher TPLO mRUST scores, suggesting more robust healing in those groups.
- Postoperative complications were linked to lower TPLO mRUST scores, indicating impaired healing.
- Medial cortex was excluded from scoring due to plate obstruction, validating use of only 3 cortices for scoring.
- The TPLO mRUST system may standardize healing assessment, reducing subjective bias across specialties.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2022
Evaluation of a modified radiographic union scale for tibial fractures scoring system in staged bilateral tibial plateau leveling osteotomy procedures and comparison of first and second side radiographic bone healing
2022-8-VS-walker-5
In Rocheleau 2024 et al., on arthroscopic meniscal suturing, which group had the highest meniscal repair success rate?
🔍 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-3
In Sadowitz 2023 et al., on screw angle & speed, what clinical recommendation is supported to reduce TCF risk?
🔍 Key Findings
- TCF risk increased significantly with 10° insertion angle at both 650 rpm (12.5%) and 1350 rpm (17.5%), compared to 0% in the control group (0° at 650 rpm).
- Hand insertion at 10° angle resulted in only 3.75% TCF rate, suggesting lower insertion speed reduces risk.
- No TCFs occurred when screws were inserted coaxially (0°) at either 650 or 1350 rpm, indicating angle is a critical factor.
- Screw speed alone did not increase TCF risk unless combined with off-axis insertion.
- Radiographically detectable TCFs were only considered; actual rates may be higher with direct bone inspection.
- Cutting flutes engaging undrilled bone during off-axis insertion likely contribute to TCF formation.
- Clinical implication: Ensure screws are inserted coaxially and at lower speeds to reduce TCF risk during procedures like TPLO.
- Statistically significant differences were found between control and high-angle insertion groups: Group C (p = .001), Group E (p < .001).
Veterinary Surgery
8
2023
Effect of screw insertion angle and speed on the incidence of transcortical fracture development in a canine tibial diaphyseal model
2023-8-VS-sadowitz-5
Quiz Results
You answered 7 out of 10 questions correctly
Key Findings