🔍 Key Findings

• Fascial planes in dogs were consistently classifiable into four surgical types:
• Type I (discrete sheets), Type II (tightly adhered to thin muscle), Type III (tightly adhered to thick muscle), and Type IV (periosteum-associated).
• Two junction types were identified: Type A (easily elevated) and Type B (higher risk of disruption).
• Disruption-prone areas include the scapular spine (type IV fascia) and lateral thorax near the 13th rib, where rib resection may be needed to preserve margins.
• The latissimus dorsi transition zones and fascial areas near the thoracic inlet and scapulohumeral joint were prone to fascial thinning or disruption.
• Partial muscle resections or periosteal elevations may be required in areas with fragile fascia to maintain oncologic margins.
• Dorsal spinous processes (T6–L6) showed type IV fascia; however, osteotomy may be needed in some dogs for clear margins.
• Blended fascial transitions (e.g., rectus abdominis: type II cranially, type I caudally) necessitate intraoperative judgment on resection depth.
• Cutaneous trunci may suffice as a deep margin for small, low-grade tumors in well-muscled dogs, but not reliably for high-grade or larger masses.

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• The study was a historic case-control trial comparing custom 3D-printed VSP-guided MIPO (3D-MIPO) to conventional MIPO (c-MIPO) in dogs with diaphyseal tibial fractures.
• Surgical time was significantly shorter in the 3D-MIPO group (117 min vs. 151 min; p = .014), and fluoroscopy use was dramatically reduced (11 vs. 37 images; p < .001).
• All 3D-MIPO reductions were acceptable or near-anatomic; 2 c-MIPO dogs had unacceptable reductions.
• Tibial length, frontal, and sagittal alignment post-op were similar between groups; no significant difference in anatomic restoration (p > .1).
• Radiographic union occurred in all dogs by 3 months. Time to union was similar between groups (3D-MIPO: 67 days vs. c-MIPO: 53 days; p = .207).
• Postoperative complication rate was higher in 3D-MIPO (27% vs. 14%), including 2 major infections requiring implant removal.
• 3D-MIPO required more pre-op time (~23 hours longer from presentation to surgery; p = .002), partly due to guide printing/sterilization.
• Improved surgical efficiency and more consistent reductions were noted in the 3D-MIPO group, supporting its clinical utility despite increased pre-op logistics.

🔍 Key Findings

Study focus: Outcomes of cannulated screw fixation in unicondylar humeral condylar fractures (UHCF) in dogs.
Clinical union rate: 89%
Overall complication rate: 36%

• Major complication: Most common was screw breakage

Significant risk factor for screw breakage:

• Body weight >20 kg (statistically significant)

Breed distribution:

• Spaniels, especially English Springer Spaniels, were most common

No mention of plate augmentation as standard in this cohort

🔍 Key Findings

• Combined ICTL and NIRF detected the same SLN in 80% of cases; each method alone missed sentinel lymph nodes in some dogs.
• ICLT failed in 5% of dogs, while NIRF failed in 20%; combined use resulted in only 5% failure in SLN detection.
• Metastatic lymph nodes were detected in 95% of dogs, despite most tumors being low or intermediate grade (95%).
• 27 of 41 nodes (65.8%) were histologically metastatic (HN2 or HN3), many of which would have been missed using ALN alone.
• ALN matched the SLN in only 45% of cases with ICTL and 30% with NIRF, supporting the need for SLN mapping.
• ICLT and NIRF were complementary, often identifying different SLN, with some only fluorescent or enhanced in one modality.
• Subcutaneous MCT had higher metastatic rates (7/8 dogs) than previously reported, challenging older assumptions about benign behavior.
• Removing both ALN and SLN (from both methods) improved detection of metastasis to 85–95%, reducing risk of understaging.

🔍 Key Findings

• TEA significantly increased the rima glottis area (RGA) from a mean of 0.52 cm³ to 0.78 cm³ (p < .0001)
• Mean RGA increased by 157%, equivalent to an 84% estimated decrease in airway resistance
• LEGS (laryngeal epiglottic-glottic seal) remained intact in all cadavers post-procedure, indicating maintained airway protection
• TEA was technically feasible in all 15 cadaveric dogs using a custom endoscopic gag port (EGP)
• TEA avoids cervical dissection, potentially reducing surgical trauma and risks compared to UAL (unilateral arytenoid lateralization)
• Compared to UAL, TEA showed slightly less RGA increase, but greater LEGS preservation, potentially reducing aspiration risk
• No cartilage was included in sutures; arytenopexy involved soft tissue fixation to pharyngeal wall across the piriform recess
• Cadaver model limitations include inability to assess functional outcomes like swallowing and respiratory motion impact

🔍 Key Findings

• Roux-en-Y procedures were successfully completed in all 11 cases (6 dogs, 5 cats), despite case complexity and disease severity.
• Median survival post-discharge was longer in cats (365 days) vs. dogs (82 days), with better outcomes in non-neoplastic vs. neoplastic disease (192 vs. 5 days).
• Complication rate was high, with septic peritonitis, dehiscence, and cardiac arrest as leading causes of postoperative death; mortality rate = 36%.
• Dehiscence rate was 8.6% (2 of 23 anastomoses), considered lower than typical rates for GI anastomoses in high-risk patients.
• Feeding tubes (gastrostomy/jejunostomy) were used in all cases, enabling early nutritional support and stomach decompression.
• Postoperative nausea and vomiting were common but mostly self-limiting; managed with metoclopramide, cisapride, and antiemetics.
• Choledochojejunostomy was preferred when common bile duct was dilated, offering a favorable size match and potentially reducing bile leakage.
• Roux-en-Y reduced typical Billroth II complications (e.g., bile reflux, afferent loop syndrome, dumping syndrome), with none observed in discharged patients.

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• IMN provides relative stability, resists bending/torsion due to central axis alignment
• Larger diameter nails = exponentially greater stiffness (∝ D⁴)
• Trade-off: Larger interlocking holes weaken fatigue strength of the nail
• Reaming increases contact/stability but has pros/cons:
  • Improves outcomes in closed fractures
  • May reduce endosteal blood flow in thin-walled bones (e.g., cats)
• Design advances:
  • Angle-stable IMN reduce rotational slack
  • Expandable nails simplify insertion but may compromise removal or compressive load resistance
  • Precontoured nails match bone curvature but lack consistent clinical superiority
• Material debates continue (e.g., titanium vs. stainless steel vs. magnesium)

🔍 Key Findings

• LVSG was feasible in 9/10 feline cadavers with successful stapled gastrectomy and minimal technical complications.
• Stenosis at the incisura angularis occurred in 2/10 cadavers, associated with staple placement too close to the lesser curvature.
• Leak testing was negative in 8 cadavers and both live cats, indicating effective staple sealing.
• Mean stomach resection was ~28%, though less than human standards (~75–80%) for metabolic effects.
• Surgery was performed safely in two live feline subjects, with no intraoperative or postoperative complications over a 6-month follow-up.
• Technique refinements included orogastric tube placement and custom 3D-printed cannulas to improve staple line accuracy and avoid stenosis.
• Tri-Staple purple cartridges provided graduated compression suited for feline gastric tissue thickness (~2.5 mm).
• No need for staple line oversew in live cats; staple-only closure proved safe in this short-term study.

🔍 Key Findings

Source: Bush et al., 2023, Veterinary Surgery

• Median survival time (MST) after surgery was 1886 days, which is significantly longer than previously reported.
• Lymph node metastasis at surgery was a negative prognostic factor, reducing MST to 248 days (vs. 2340 days without nodal involvement).
• Local recurrence occurred in 42% of dogs, with a median disease-free interval (DFI) of 191 days.
• Metastatic disease occurred in 32% of dogs, most commonly to the lungs, with a median DFI of 299 days.
• Histologic features (e.g., margin status, capsular, lymphatic, or vascular invasion) were not significantly correlated with recurrence or metastasis.
• Facial nerve injury occurred in 9.7% perioperatively, especially after parotidectomy; intraoperative facial nerve transection led to long-term deficits.
• Adjuvant therapies (chemotherapy, radiation, NSAIDs) did not significantly affect survival time.
• Incisional biopsy was only 38% concordant with final excisional histology, suggesting limited reliability for definitive diagnosis.