🔍 Key Findings

The study included 162 deep-pain-negative dogs undergoing decompressive surgery (hemilaminectomy) for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE).

Ambulatory recovery occurred in 53.1% of dogs (86/162).

The best performing machine-learning model was XGBoost, with an AUC of 0.9502 and accuracy of 89.1%, outperforming Ridge, AdaBoost, and Naive Bayes models.

Preoperative-only XGBoost models were less accurate, with AUC dropping to 0.8271 and accuracy to 71.9%.

Top predictive features (by SHAP analysis) included:

1. T2-weighted to L2 spinal cord signal ratio (lower values predicted better outcome)
2. Use of fenestration (presence associated with better recovery)
3. Hospitalization duration
4. Imaging modality used
5. Duration of nonambulatory status

Machine learning provided better insight into prognostic factors than traditional statistical methods.

🔍 Key Findings

• All FEESA configurations leaked at lower pressures than intact segments, confirming reduced integrity vs. native tissue.
• FEESA with 3-row transverse staples (3V/3T or 2V/3T) had significantly higher leak pressures than 2-row configurations.
• 3V/3T configuration had the highest ILP (69.88 ± 21.23 mmHg) among all groups, significantly greater than 2V/2T and 3V/2T (P < .001).
• Leakage consistently occurred at the transverse staple line (not vertical), regardless of configuration.
• No significant difference in maximum intraluminal pressure (MIP) between FEESA groups.
• All FEESA constructs withstood intraluminal pressures >25 mmHg, exceeding normal physiological jejunal pressure in dogs.
• No leaks occurred from the vertical staple line, highlighting it as a more robust closure site.
• Third staple row in transverse line may be a viable alternative to suture oversew, pending further clinical evaluation.

🔍 Key Findings

• Arthroscopic meniscal suturing was performed in 43 client-owned dogs, involving 44 meniscal repairs (one dog was bilateral). All injuries involved the caudal horn of the medial meniscus and were associated with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) disease.
• All dogs underwent simultaneous TPLO, with some also receiving an internal brace (IB). Most repairs used simple vertical mattress sutures.
• The overall complication rate was 34.1% (15/44). Most complications were attributed to the TPLO/TPLO+IB and did not compromise the meniscal repair outcome.
• No median time to “acceptable” or “full” function was reported, but most dogs showed improvement in lameness and LOAD scores (p < .001), indicating good to excellent outcomes.
• Meniscal repair success rate was 88% (38/44), with TPLO + IB outperforming TPLO-only (93.3% vs 71.4%). Follow-up was performed at 8 weeks (40 dogs) and 6 months (16 dogs).
• Six failures occurred, all managed with arthroscopic meniscectomy, leading to normal activity in those dogs. Two IB-associated failures led to CrCL instability.
• The authors concluded the technique was safe, practical, and effective, with a reasonable complication rate.
• The findings support arthroscopic suturing as a feasible alternative to meniscectomy or meniscal release, offering long-term benefits for preserving the meniscus.

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• 3D laparoscopy significantly reduced time to first endoclip placement compared to 2D (median 76 vs. 238 seconds, p = .016).
• Total surgical time was not significantly different between 3D and 2D groups.
• No differences were observed in intraoperative complications such as cystic duct injury, clip dislodgment, or gallbladder perforation.
• Cystic duct stump length was comparable between groups (median 2.5 mm).
• Liver parenchyma attachment severity did not differ significantly between 2D and 3D groups.
• All procedures were performed by an experienced surgeon, potentially reducing the benefit seen with 3D visualization.
• No conversions to open surgery occurred, and no intraoperative complications were reported.
• The study suggests 3D laparoscopy may aid less experienced surgeons due to enhanced depth perception.

🔍 Key Findings

• Anastomosis of the thoracic duct (TD) to the intercostal vein (ICV) using a microvascular anastomotic coupler (MAC) was feasible in all 6 healthy dogs
• Immediate postoperative patency was confirmed in all dogs, but only 4/6 had patent anastomoses at 30 days, with 2 failing due to ICV kinking
• Kinking of the ICV near the azygos vein insertion was the primary failure mechanism, likely from MAC malalignment
• No intraoperative or major postoperative complications occurred, though 2 dogs developed mild seromas
• Use of the MAC device simplified microsurgical anastomosis versus hand suturing, especially in the deep thoracic cavity
• Contrast lymphangiography showed faster clearance from the cisterna chyli postoperatively, suggesting effective flow redirection
• Persistent branches of the thoracic duct may impact outcomes, and should be ligated during surgery
• This technique may be a potential novel treatment for idiopathic chylothorax, improving outcomes by reducing collateral flow stimuli

🔍 Key Findings

• Survival rates did not differ between immediate (90 min) and delayed (≥5 h) surgical stabilization groups at discharge or 1-month post-op (approx. 80% survival in both).
• Hyperlactatemia at 24 hours post-fluid therapy was significantly associated with in-hospital and 1-month mortality (P = .01 and P = .02).
• Persistent tachycardia during hospitalization was linked to increased 1-month mortality (P = .015).
• Partial gastrectomy was required in ~6–10% of cases, with high associated mortality.
• Preoperative stabilization protocols (trocarization, nasogastric tube) allowed safe surgical delays up to 13.7 hours without impacting survival.
• Degree of gastric torsion differed between groups; more 0° torsions in delayed cases, potentially due to decompression-induced derotation.
• No difference in post-op complications such as arrhythmias, hypotension, or AKI between groups.
• More intra-anesthetic deaths occurred in immediate surgery group, highlighting importance of adequate pre-op stabilization.

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• Study of 24 stifles in 22 dogs with concurrent CCLR and grade III–IV MPL treated via TPLO-TTT
• Major complications: 4/24 (3 surgical site infections, 1 MPL reluxation); minor complications: 5/24
• Long-term follow-up (median 27 months): 21/22 dogs sound, 23/24 stifles resolved
• Patellar ligament thickening observed post-op in 4 cases, resolved with rehab
• The only case of MPL reluxation involved untreated tibial torsion, suggesting case selection is critical

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (TD to AV) was successfully performed in all 8 feline cadavers using a microvascular anastomotic coupler (MAC).
• Anastomotic patency was confirmed intraoperatively and postoperatively in 7/8 cats via contrast lymphography or retrograde venography.
• Dissection and anastomosis took a median of 120 minutes, with minimal technical complications.
• A 1.5 mm MAC was used in 6 cats, and a 2.0 mm in 2 cats; TD diameter ranged 1.0–1.5 mm, AV up to 2.25 mm.
• Challenges included vessel twisting and luminal patency issues, resolved intraoperatively with minor adjustments (e.g., repeat pinning, tacking suture).
• MAC use eliminated need for hand-suturing, lowering skill demands but requiring precise alignment.
• Technique provides direct lymphatic-to-venous drainage, potentially reducing the stimulus for collateral vessel formation.
• May serve as a future treatment option for feline idiopathic chylothorax, warranting further in vivo studies.