
Quiz Question
In Smith 2024 et al., on ergonomics and preferences in veterinary laparoscopy, which subgroup of surgeons experienced significantly greater difficulty with endoscopic staplers?
🔍 Key Findings
- Surgeons with smaller glove sizes experienced more difficulty using laparoscopic instruments, especially endoscopic staplers, cup biopsy forceps, and vessel sealing devices.
- Endoscopic stapler was rated the most difficult instrument, with a median difficulty score of 4/10 and 25% usage difficulty.
- Female surgeons reported significantly more difficulty with several instruments due to smaller glove size.
- Reusable instruments were preferred over disposable ones for all tasks.
- Pistol grips were preferred for grasping/retracting and fine dissection, while axial grips were preferred for suturing/knot tying.
- Articulating handles were consistently associated with increased reported difficulty, especially with scissors and cup biopsy forceps.
- Left-handed surgeons had more difficulty operating endoscopic staplers, suggesting limited design inclusivity.
- Surgeons in academic settings reported more difficulty with laparoscopic maneuvers than those in private practice.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2024
Variables affecting surgeons’ use of, and preferences for, instrumentation in veterinary laparoscopy
2024-3-VS-smith-5
In Stoneburner 2024 et al., on MIS survey results, which factor was most strongly associated with increased MIS proficiency?
🔍 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.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in small animal surgery: A 2020 survey of small animal surgical diplomates and residents
2024-5-VS-stoneburner-3
In Lemmon 2025 et al., on synovitis severity scoring, what was concluded about the impact of bucket handle meniscal tears on synovitis severity?
🔍 Key Findings
Synovitis was present in 100% of canine stifles with CCL disease (n = 163).
The most frequent severity score was 3/5 (55.2%), followed by 4/5 (24.5%).
Higher synovitis scores were significantly associated with:
- Higher median cartilage scores (p = .042, OR = 2.1 per unit increase)
- Longer duration of clinical signs (p < .001, OR = 1.27 per month)
Bodyweight (p = .083) and sex (p = .17) were not statistically significant in multivariable analysis.
Bucket handle meniscal tears were not associated with synovitis severity.
Clinical implication: Earlier intervention may help reduce synovitis and slow OA progression.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2025
Arthroscopic synovitis severity scoring in canine stifles with cranial cruciate ligament disease
2025-3-VS-lemmon-4
In Ellis 2024 et al., what conclusion was drawn regarding sclerosis seen on elbow CT in Guide Dogs?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- 86 elbows assessed: 32 Guide Dogs, 11 Border Collies
- Guide Dogs showed significantly higher HU values in:
- MCP: min (p = 0.022), mean (p < 0.01), max (p < 0.01)
- Humeral trochlea: mean (p < 0.01), max (p < 0.01)
- Results imply breed-associated HU variation, not necessarily pathologic sclerosis
- Relevance: Important to avoid false positives for elbow dysplasia during CT-based breeding screens
- Good interobserver agreement for mean HU values (ICC ~0.82–0.90)
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
3
2024
Comparison of Hounsfield Units within the Humeral Trochlea and Medial Coronoid Process in a Population of Labrador X Golden Retriever Guide Dogs and Border Collies
2024-3-VCOT-ellis-4
In Payne 2024 et al., on HIF propagation pattern, what was the observed relationship between %LHIF and %HIF?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- HIF typically originates 57° caudal to the supratrochlear foramen and propagates cranially in a segmental pattern.
- %HIF correlated significantly with both fissure depth and length:
- %DHIF increased linearly (r = 0.989, p < 0.001)
- %LHIF followed a sigmoidal relationship with %HIF (p < 0.001)
- Higher %HIF was significantly associated with:
- Clinical lameness (p = 0.004)
- Distal shift in the fissure center (CHIF)
- Implant complications in 5/17 elbows treated with transcondylar screws
- Isthmus diameter increased with weight (p = 0.002), relevant for screw sizing
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
2
2024
Computed Tomography Topographical Analysis of Incomplete Humeral Intracondylar Fissures in English Springer Spaniel Dogs
2024-2-VCOT-payne-3
In Scharpf 2024 et al., what symmetry index (SI) threshold was considered indicative of normal limb loading?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- Subtotal coronoidectomy improved vertical and propulsive forces, but braking forces remained subnormal at 26 weeks.
- No significant benefit was seen from ACP vs placebo at any timepoint across all force parameters or lameness scores.
- Force plate analysis was more sensitive than visual lameness scoring.
- Braking force (%FY+) was best at detecting persistent lameness, and SI < 0.9 persisted in most dogs at 26 weeks.
- Outcome less favorable than historically reported — challenges status of subtotal coronoidectomy as “gold standard” for MCD.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
2
2024
Assessment of Arthroscopic Subtotal Coronoidectomy in Treating Medial Coronoid Disease and Effect of Concurrent Autologous Conditioned Plasma in Dogs Using Force Plate Analysis
2024-2-VCOT-scharpf-3
In Sullivan 2025 et al., on TTT stabilization methods, which stabilization method showed significantly different failure force or stiffness?
🔍 Key Findings
- Spacer pin fixation showed no difference in failure force or stiffness compared to tension band wire (TBW) or 2-pin techniques.
- All constructs failed under loads >1000 N, exceeding estimated peak quadriceps force in dogs during walking (~240 N).
- Patellar ligament failure was the most common mode of failure across all groups (5–8 samples per group).
- Distal tibial crest fractures were seen only in 2-pin and spacer pin groups, not in TBW group, suggesting TBW may protect against crest failure.
- No failures occurred at pin tracts, possibly due to pin placement within patellar ligament footprint.
- Spacer pin technique avoids placing pins through the tuberosity, potentially reducing risks of soft tissue complications like tendinopathy or irritation.
- Use of partial osteotomy with robust distal crest may substitute for TBW without compromising initial mechanical strength.
- Further in vivo or cyclic loading studies are required, as this cadaveric study tested only acute tensile failure.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
3
2025
Biomechanical Comparison of Spacer Pin Fixation to Two Established Methods of Tibial Tuberosity Transposition Stabilization in Dogs
2025-3-VCOT-sullivan-1
In Niida 2024 et al., on surgical residents and TPLO time, what data did the study provide on complication rates?
🔍 Key Findings
- Resident involvement significantly increased TPLO surgery duration compared to cases performed by faculty surgeons (FS)-only. Residents required 54% more surgery time (GLSM, 153 min) than FS-only cases (GLSM, 99 min), representing a 1.54-fold increase.
- The study did not report on short-term complication rates. No conclusions can be drawn from this source regarding complications between resident and faculty groups.
- Bone plate contouring was not evaluated. The source does not provide data regarding contouring frequency or its comparison between groups.
- Surgery duration significantly decreased after the first year of residency, but remained stable between second- and third-year residents. This was largely due to shorter tibial osteotomy durations, while arthroscopy times remained unchanged across residency years.
- Meniscal treatment was performed in 80% of cases, and it was associated with increased surgical duration, but the study did not compare the frequency of medial meniscal release between resident and faculty cases.
- The study did not evaluate osteotomy healing or revision surgery. Cases requiring immediate reoperation were excluded.
- Bone union outcomes were not assessed at 8 weeks or any other time point.
- The study concludes that resident participation significantly prolongs surgical time, but no data are provided regarding the effect on short-term clinical outcomes.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
The impact of surgery resident training on the duration of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and outcomes in dogs
2024-5-VS-niida-4
In Bae 2025 et al., on SI screw orientation, which parameter did NOT differ significantly among groups?
🔍 Key Findings
- Ex vivo study using 24 canine cadaver pelves to test screw thread direction in SI luxation.
- Four groups: RhRSI, RhLSI, LhRSI, LhLSI.
- Right-handed screws on right side (RhRSI) had 313% higher torque and 274% higher load vs left side (p < .01).
- Left-handed screws on left side (LhLSI) had 198% higher torque and 195% higher load vs right side (p < .03).
- All failures occurred due to rotation, with no screw breakage or fractures.
- Body weight and moment arm were similar across groups.
- Clinical implication: Use of screw matching handedness to luxation side improves stability.
Veterinary Surgery
2
2025
Effect of thread direction on rotational stability in lag​-screw fixation of sacroiliac luxation: An ex vivo cadaveric study in small-breed dogs
2025-2-VS-bae-4
In Stoneburner 2024 et al., on MIS survey results, what proportion of responding surgeons had performed basic laparoscopy in the previous year?
🔍 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.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in small animal surgery: A 2020 survey of small animal surgical diplomates and residents
2024-5-VS-stoneburner-1
Quiz Results
You answered 7 out of 10 questions correctly
Key Findings