Your Custom Quiz
In İnal 2025 et al., on supracutaneous locking plates, which imaging modality was used to assess bone volume and callus HU?
🔍 Key Findings
- Supracutaneous locking plates (SLPs) were successfully used to manage 33 diaphyseal fractures (radial–ulnar and tibial) in 30 cats and dogs.
- Median fracture healing time was 50.5 days (range: 27–88), with most patients regaining limb use within days postoperatively.
- CT-based metrics (callus area, HU, and 3D bone volume) increased significantly during healing (p < 0.05), validating CT as a quantitative tool for assessing healing.
- Complications were minimal: minor in 15/33 (e.g., screw tract discharge, edema), and major in 3/33 (e.g., implant failure, delayed union, nonunion).
- Minimally invasive osteosynthesis required longer surgery times than closed reduction (p < 0.05), but both techniques were viable.
- SLPs enabled successful bilateral fracture management without inter-plate interference due to their compact design.
- Screw orientation challenges were noted in cats, especially with cranial application to the radius due to narrow anatomy.
- Polyaxial locking screws were used safely and did not dislodge, allowing for angular insertion (≤10°) to avoid neurovascular structures.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
5
2025
Minimally Invasive Radial–Ulnar and Tibial Fracture Management with Supracutaneous Locking Plates in Dogs and Cats
2025-5-VCOT-inal-2
In Mullen 2024 et al., on NIRF for GDV, which region showed significantly lower fluorescence intensity in nonviable gastric tissue?
🔍 Key Findings
- NIRF altered surgical strategy in 3 of 20 GDV dogs, identifying necrosis not appreciated subjectively.
- Fundic fluorescence <10% indicated histologically confirmed gastric necrosis.
- In 1 dog, NIRF revealed nonviability despite the surgeon’s impression of viability.
- Staple line fluorescence resembled viable tissue in the only stapled gastrectomy, suggesting preservation of perfusion.
- GDV dogs (even “viable”) showed lower fluorescence vs. healthy controls, indicating subclinical vascular compromise.
- Histology confirmed full-thickness necrosis in all 4 dogs with NIRF-defined nonviability.
- Pre-op lactate was significantly higher in nonviable GDV dogs (8.55 vs 4.89 mmol/L, p=0.03).
- No complications were reported from ICG use; imaging was safe and repeatable.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Use of real-time near-infrared fluorescence to assess gastric viability in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus: A case-control study
2024-4-VS-mullen-1
In Johnson 2026 et al., on long-term respiratory outcomes, which factor was most associated with worsening RFGs in the long term?
🔍 Key Findings
- Long-term respiratory outcomes after BOAS surgery remained improved vs. preoperative values, with no significant decline over time.
- Short-term and long-term Respiratory Functional Grades (RFGs) improved in 81% of dogs, with 34% improving by two grades.
- BOAS indices improved significantly in both short- and long-term follow-ups (mean decrease ~23–25%), supporting sustained benefit.
- No significant difference between short- and long-term BOAS indices (p = .623), indicating durability of surgical effects.
- Obesity impacted outcomes — dogs with increased RFG at long-term follow-up were more likely to have gained weight.
- Owner-reported outcomes poorly correlated with objective measures — some dogs classified as BOAS-affected were perceived by owners as “normal.”
- Multilevel surgery was common, with palatoplasty, tonsillectomy, sacculectomy, and ala-vestibuloplasty most frequently performed.
- Dogs undergoing revision airway surgery were excluded, possibly biasing long-term outcomes toward favorable results.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2026
Comparison of short- and long-term objective respiratory outcomes after surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
2026-1-VS-johnson-3
In Scheuermann 2023 et al., on MIPO with 3D-printed bone models, what was the authors’ recommendation regarding clinical use of the prototype fracture reduction system?
🔍 Key Findings
- Precontoured plates based on 3D-printed femurs produced accurate femoral alignment (median deviations <3 mm or <3° in all planes).
- Both fracture reduction system (FRS) and intramedullary pin (IMP) methods achieved near-anatomic alignment in cadaveric femoral fractures.
- FRS required fewer fluoroscopic images (median 7 vs. 26, P = .001), but longer surgical time (median 43 vs. 29 min, P = .011).
- Sagittal plane alignment: FRS led to mild increased recurvatum (median 2.9°), but still within near-anatomic limits (<5°).
- Axial alignment: Both groups achieved near-anatomic torsion (<10°), though one IMP case had acceptable (not near-anatomic) alignment.
- Custom drill guides and FRS improved fluoroscopy efficiency but were cumbersome and time-consuming to use. Authors do not recommend current prototype for clinical use.
- Clinical significance: 3D printed models allow accurate precontouring, reducing intra-op plate adjustment; custom guides may reduce radiation exposure for the surgical team.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2023
Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of femoral fractures with 3D-printed bone models and custom surgical guides: A cadaveric study in dogs
2023-7-VS-scheuermann-5
In Longo 2025 et al., on MITA, what percentage of dogs achieved complete osseous union?
🔍 Key Findings
- 15 dogs underwent minimally invasive tarsal arthrodesis (MITA); 10 partial, 5 pantarsal.
- Mean time to radiographic union: 1.8 ± 0.5 months.
- Mean time to clinical union: 3.7 ± 0.8 months.
- Complete osseous union: 46%; the rest achieved ≥50% with functional weightbearing.
- Complication rate: 26% major (mostly implant-related); no catastrophic complications or plantar necrosis.
- Functional outcomes: 6 full, 8 acceptable, 1 unacceptable (not due to MITA).
- MITA may lower soft tissue complications vs open approaches and enable faster healing.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2025
Minimally invasive tarsal arthrodesis in 15 dogs
2025-1-VS-longo-2
In Beer 2026 et al., on synovial CRP biomarkers, which diagnostic approach did the authors recommend for suspected bacterial infective arthritis?
🔍 Key Findings
- Synovial CRP was significantly lower in osteoarthritis than both IMPA and bacterial infective arthritis (p=0.001 for both comparisons).
- Synovial CRP could not differentiate IMPA from bacterial infective arthritis (p=0.721), limiting its value as a stand-alone diagnostic test.
- Median synovial CRP concentrations were 0.2 mg/L (OA), 65.79 mg/L (IMPA), and 60.8 mg/L (infective arthritis).
- Synovial CRP is useful for distinguishing inflammatory from non-inflammatory arthropathies, but not infectious from sterile inflammatory disease.
- Synovial neutrophil count positively correlated with synovial CRP in IMPA and infective arthritis, supporting CRP as a marker of joint inflammation.
- Serum and synovial CRP showed a moderate positive correlation in IMPA cases (r=0.52), although not statistically significant.
- Higher synovial CRP was associated with increased lameness severity in osteoarthritis (r=0.91, p=0.004).
- Diagnosis of bacterial infective arthritis remains multifactorial, requiring integration of history, cytology, culture, and treatment response rather than CRP alone.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
3
2026
Synovial Fluid C-Reactive Protein as a Biomarker in Osteoarthritis, Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis and Bacterial Infective Arthritis
2026-3-vcot-beer-5
In Knell 2026 et al., on feline stifle luxation, what was the overall successful outcome rate reported for treated stifles?
🔍 Key Findings
- Coaptationless multiligament reconstruction restored stifle stability in all 23 cats, allowing immediate postoperative weight bearing without external immobilization.
- Successful outcome was achieved in 22/23 cats (95.7%), with only one case requiring arthrodesis after recurrent instability.
- Reconstruction of the caudal cruciate ligament (CdCrL) proved critical, as 3 of 4 caudal subluxation complications occurred when the CdCrL was not reconstructed initially.
- Major complications occurred in 26.6% (6/23) and consisted primarily of caudal tibial subluxation (4 cases) and medial patellar luxation (2 cases).
- Revision surgery successfully restored function in most complications, with stable joints and excellent FMPI scores after revision.
- Excellent functional outcomes were reported, with FMPI scores ranging from 0.95–1.0 at 6 months and lameness absent in nearly all cats.
- Early mobilization without postoperative immobilization preserved range of motion, with minimal osteoarthritis progression observed over 6 months.
- Internal brace principles using TightRope constructs, knotless anchors, and UHMWPE sutures provided strong multiplanar stabilization, supporting immediate limb use and favorable clinical outcomes.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2026
A multiligament, internal brace, coaptationless stifle reconstruction technique for feline stifle luxation
2026-4-vs-knell-4
In Hawker 2025 et al., on locking head inserts, what effect did LHI have on axial stiffness and displacement?
🔍 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-3
In Petchell 2025 et al., on CORA-based CCWO, which parameter was defined preoperatively to enable CORA-based planning?
🔍 Key Findings
- The CORA-based cranial closing wedge ostectomy (CCWOCORA) consistently achieved the target postoperative TPA of 5° across all tibial morphologies.
- CCWOCORA produced significantly less variability in postoperative TPA compared to other methods (TPA range: 5.00–5.00°; p < .001).
- Mechanical axis advancement (MAA) was precisely controlled at 3° in CCWOCORA, leading to greater surgical predictability.
- Other techniques (e.g., CCWOTPA, CCWOTPA–5, CCWOISO) showed greater variance in TPA, MAA, and tibial length.
- In small-breed dogs, increasing the MAA from 3° to 5° did not affect TPA outcomes, but increased proximal bone stock, improving feasibility.
- Wedge angles and tibial length changes varied by method, but CCWOCORA maintained length better than TPA-based methods.
- The technique allows preoperative planning of both desired MAA and TPA, enhancing predictability and customization.
- CORA methodology enables precise geometric correction and alignment of mechanical axes, reducing reliance on trial-and-error alignment.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2025
An in silico comparison of a novel CORA-based cranial closing wedge ostectomy methodology with three other techniques
2025-7-VS-petchell-2
In Kalmukov 2022 et al., on cell salvage efficacy, what was a noted potential **benefit** of cell salvage over allogeneic transfusion in dogs?
🔍 Key Findings
- Direct suction salvaged more red blood cell mass (rbcM) than swab washing: 88.43% vs 84.74% (p = .015)
- Swab washing still achieved high recovery (84.74%), making it a viable adjunct when suction is not possible
- No significant difference in post-salvage PCV between methods (~34% for Su and ~33.9% for Sw)
- Total salvaged blood volume was significantly higher using direct suction (143 mL vs 139.8 mL; p < .001)
- Leukocytes are removed during salvage, potentially lowering risk of cytokine-mediated transfusion reactions
- Expired pRBCs were used, but device still achieved high RBC recovery, supporting clinical utility
- Swab washing via manual agitation may cause more RBC destruction than direct suction
- Cell salvage may avoid complications of allogeneic transfusions, like storage lesions and immunologic reactions
Veterinary Surgery
8
2022
Ex vivo evaluation of a novel cell salvage device to recover canine erythrocytes
2022-8-VS-kalmukov-5
Quiz Results
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Key Findings