🔍 Key Findings

Population: 29 Boxer dogs and 29 age-matched Labrador Retrievers undergoing TPLO.
Scoring Systems Compared: 5-point vs. 10-point radiographic healing systems.
Healing Scores (Week 8):

• Boxers: 5-point mean = 3.3; 10-point mean = 6.9
• Labradors: 5-point mean = 3.6; 10-point mean = 7.5
• → Statistically significant difference (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001)

Osteotomy Gap ≥1 mm (present in 16.4%): Associated with significantly lower healing scores and increased recommendations for additional radiographic follow-up (p < 0.0001).
Observer Reliability:

• Both systems = good interobserver consistency.
• Slightly better intraobserver consistency with the 10-point scale.

Clinical Implication: Boxer dogs may need extended healing time or altered follow-up strategy after TPLO.

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• Double forwarder (DF) knots had significantly higher knot holding capacity (KHC) than square (SQ) and surgeon’s (SU) knots when tied with <6 throws.
• In 3 USP polyglactin 910, DF knots with 4–5 throws were not significantly stronger than SU knots with 6–8 throws (p > .43).
• DF knots never unraveled, while SQ and SU knots with 4–5 throws showed substantial unraveling.
• KHC did not increase in DF knots when throws increased from 3 to 5.
• Knot volume and weight were significantly higher in DF knots than SQ/SU knots at the same throw count (p < .003).
• DF knots allow sliding placement, potentially useful in minimally invasive or deep cavity procedures.

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• 5 juvenile dogs (mean age 7.2 months) with grade III–IV MPL were treated surgically.
• Most had femoral varus + external tibial torsion; some had shallow trochlear grooves.
• Distal femoral osteotomy was performed in 4/5 dogs; Tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT) in 3/5; Sulcoplasty in 2/5.
• Mean time to weight bearing: 9.8 ± 5.5 days; healing: 55 ± 24 days
• No reluxations, and final radiographic values for aLDFA and torsion were maintained at 1 year.
• One complication due to domestic trauma, not surgical failure.
• Early surgery appeared to preserve alignment and prevent deformity progression.

🔍 Key Findings

• Bilateral radial head OCD lesions were identified in a 6-month-old English Bulldog with elbow lameness.
• Medial arthroscopic portals allowed only partial visualization of radial head lesions, insufficient for treatment.
• Lateral arthroscopy portals provided excellent access for fragment removal and abrasion arthroplasty.
• Histopathology confirmed OCD, showing cartilage degeneration and retained cartilaginous cores.
• Dog showed complete resolution of lameness and no elbow pain at 5 months post-op.
• Lesions were caudolateral on the radial head, with discoid elevation of cartilage and clefts.
• Lateral approach avoids major neurovascular structures, reducing iatrogenic risk.
• The authors suggest lateral elbow arthroscopy may have broader indications, including for medial compartment disease or synovial biopsies.

🔍 Key Findings

• Left fourth intercostal thoracotomy allowed successful thoracic duct (TD) ligation in 9/10 canine cadavers.
• 10/13 clinical cases had a single TD branch at the left fourth intercostal space, indicating lower anatomical complexity.
• All TD branches at this site were lateral to the esophagus, simplifying surgical access.
• Unilateral subphrenic pericardiectomy was successfully performed via the same incision in 10/10 cadavers.
• Fewer TD branches at the fourth intercostal space than traditional caudal sites may reduce the risk of missed collaterals.
• In contrast, traditional caudal TD ligation sites had up to 5 branches, requiring broader dissection.
• No cadaver had right-sided TD branches, reducing surgical complexity at the studied location.
• Contrast-confirmed ligation was effective in 90% (9/10) cadavers on CT imaging.

🔍 Key Findings

Study type: Cadaveric stifle arthroscopy in large breed dogs (n=12 joints from 6 dogs)
Goal: Describe and assess the proximal lateral portal for insertion of a Ventura stifle thrust lever (VSTL)
Main results:

• No damage to the long digital extensor tendon (LDE) with this portal
• VSTL could be placed without removing the arthroscope
• Portal creation time ~37 seconds (faster than previously reported)

Cartilage impact:

• Superficial iatrogenic articular cartilage injury (IACI) present in all specimens
• No difference in IACI between 5- and 10-minute lever durations
• Zone 4 (lateral femoral condyle) had significantly more damage than zones 1–3 (p < .05)

Conclusion: Portal was safe, repeatable, minimally invasive, and did not increase cartilage damage with up to 10-minute lever use

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• Ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred in 3% of pericardiectomy cases across reporting institutions.
• 14 of 16 dogs (88%) that developed intraoperative VF died, indicating high mortality.
• Electrosurgical devices were used in 15/16 dogs; VF onset coincided with their use in 8 dogs, suggesting a potential but unproven association.
• Preoperative arrhythmias were seen in 7 dogs (e.g., VPCs, VT, bradycardia), possibly serving as early warning signs.
• Thoracoscopic approach was used in 75% of cases; however, conversion to open surgery was required in 9/13 thoracoscopic procedures after VF onset.
• Defibrillation was attempted in 13 dogs, but only 3 converted to sinus rhythm, and only 2 survived postoperatively.
• VF may result from stray current or cardiac manipulation; bipolar energy devices were implicated despite lower theoretical risk.
• Preventative strategies include judicious electrosurgery use, close ECG monitoring, rapid CPR preparedness, and preop cardiac risk assessment.

🔍 Key Findings

• Fluoroscopy-guided osteotomy placement achieved a median postoperative TPA of 3° (range: 0–4.5°), showing excellent accuracy.
• The D1 measurement (from patellar ligament insertion to osteotomy exit) was more reproducible and accurate intraoperatively than D2.
• Median R1 value (D1-based) matched the intended 21 mm radius with only 0.5 mm deviation, while R2 deviated by 2.5 mm.
• Real-time fluoroscopy allowed dynamic limb positioning and reduced osteotomy placement variability.
• Intraoperative fluoroscopy reduced reliance on preoperative planning, especially in cases with difficult anatomy or positioning.
• Radiation exposure was minimal (avg. 3 images per case) and within safe limits using standard protection protocols.
• Study standardized to 21 mm blades and excluded dogs with developmental orthopedic conditions to reduce confounders.
• Targeting a lower postoperative TPA (3°) may reduce meniscal load and cranio-caudal instability, though long-term outcomes require further study.