← Articles

Dalton et al: Minimally invasive repair of acetabular fractures in dogs: Ex vivo feasibility study and case report
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • Feasibility study in 5 canine cadavers plus 1 clinical case (Chihuahua, 5.5 kg).
  • Technique used two small approaches (caudal and craniolateral) connected with an epiperiosteal tunnel.
  • Plates were precontoured on mirrored 3D-printed hemipelves to improve fit and reduce intraoperative bending.
  • Cadaver outcomes: fracture gap <2 mm, step defect <1 mm, pelvic angulation <5°.
  • Sciatic nerve injury was minimal: 1/5 cadavers had a mild indentation; others had no gross injury.
  • Median total surgical time: ~46 minutes in cadavers; incisions ~5 cm.
  • Clinical Chihuahua case: weight-bearing within 24 hrs, radiographic union at 3 months; one screw fractured but no adverse effect.
  • Authors conclude: MIAF with 3D printing is feasible and accurate, but requires further evaluation before routine use.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

How critical is this paper for crushing the Boards?

🚨 Must-know. I’d bet on seeing this.

📚 Useful background, not must-know.

💤 Skip it. Doubt it’ll ever show up.

Thanks for the feedback!
‍We'll keep fine-tuning the articles vault.
Oops — didn’t go through.
‍Mind trying that again?
← Articles

Dalton et al: Minimally invasive repair of acetabular fractures in dogs: Ex vivo feasibility study and case report
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • Feasibility study in 5 canine cadavers plus 1 clinical case (Chihuahua, 5.5 kg).
  • Technique used two small approaches (caudal and craniolateral) connected with an epiperiosteal tunnel.
  • Plates were precontoured on mirrored 3D-printed hemipelves to improve fit and reduce intraoperative bending.
  • Cadaver outcomes: fracture gap <2 mm, step defect <1 mm, pelvic angulation <5°.
  • Sciatic nerve injury was minimal: 1/5 cadavers had a mild indentation; others had no gross injury.
  • Median total surgical time: ~46 minutes in cadavers; incisions ~5 cm.
  • Clinical Chihuahua case: weight-bearing within 24 hrs, radiographic union at 3 months; one screw fractured but no adverse effect.
  • Authors conclude: MIAF with 3D printing is feasible and accurate, but requires further evaluation before routine use.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

Know What Matters in the Literature - and Why

We distill peer-reviewed surgical studies into clinically relevant summaries and
exam-style questions, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Free Access. No Spam. Just Smarter Surgical Learning

Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Dalton 2023 et al., In Minimally invasive acetabular fracture repair in dogs, what was the primary purpose of using mirrored 3D-printed hemipelves in this study?

A. To reduce fracture comminution
B. To allow precontouring of fixation plates
C. To improve sciatic nerve visualization
D. To shorten postoperative recovery
E. To avoid use of fluoroscopy

Answer: To allow precontouring of fixation plates

Explanation: 3D-printed models enabled accurate plate contouring before surgery, minimizing intraoperative bending.
In Dalton 2023 et al., In Minimally invasive acetabular fracture repair in dogs, what reduction quality was reported in cadaveric cases?

A. Step defects >3 mm common
B. Fracture gap <2 mm and step defect <1 mm
C. Marked pelvic angulation >10°
D. Only acceptable but not anatomic reduction
E. Consistent malalignment in all cases

Answer: Fracture gap <2 mm and step defect <1 mm

Explanation: Cadavers achieved near-anatomic reductions with minimal gap and step defect.
In Dalton 2023 et al., In Minimally invasive acetabular fracture repair in dogs, what was the clinical outcome of the Chihuahua case treated with minimally invasive acetabular repair?

A. Delayed union and persistent lameness
B. Implant failure requiring revision
C. Weight-bearing within 24 hours and radiographic union at 3 months
D. Severe sciatic nerve dysfunction post-op
E. Progressive osteoarthritis and poor function

Answer: Weight-bearing within 24 hours and radiographic union at 3 months

Explanation: The clinical case achieved rapid functional recovery and bone union, despite one screw fracture without consequence.
In Dalton 2023 et al., In Minimally invasive acetabular fracture repair in dogs, what was the median total surgical time for the cadaveric minimally invasive acetabular fracture repairs?

A. 25 minutes
B. 35 minutes
C. 46 minutes
D. 60 minutes
E. 75 minutes

Answer: 46 minutes

Explanation: Median surgical time was approximately 46 minutes, with incisions around 5 cm.
In Dalton 2023 et al., In Minimally invasive acetabular fracture repair in dogs, which intraoperative complication was observed in cadaveric specimens?

A. Excessive blood loss
B. Intra-articular screw penetration
C. Sciatic nerve indentation
D. Hip luxation
E. Pelvic canal narrowing

Answer: Sciatic nerve indentation

Explanation: One cadaver had mild sciatic nerve indentation; others had no gross nerve injury.

Access the full library of surgical summaries and exam-style questions.

Get Instant Access

Educational content developed independently and supported by Simini.

The maker of Simini Protect Lavage.

Review More Key Summaries from this Veterinary Surgery Journal Issue

Cola

 et al: 

Laparotomy‐assisted endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal foreign bodies: Evaluation of this technique and postoperative recovery in dogs and cats

You

 et al: 

Evaluation of a knotless barbed suture for canine total lung lobectomy: An ex vivo study

Davies

 et al: 

Lymphaticovenous anastomosis of the caudal thoracic duct to the azygous vein: A feline cadaver study

Adair

 et al: 

Retrospective comparison of modified percutaneous cystolithotomy (PCCLm) and traditional open cystotomy (OC) in dogs: 218 cases (2010–2019)

Hoenecke

 et al: 

Increased radiographic stifle soft tissue opacity in dogs with patella luxation