Your Custom Quiz
In Evers 2022 et al., on bone-to-tendon plate fixation, what was the primary reason for anchoring the plate to the tendon instead of the bone?
🔍 Key Findings
- Bone-to-tendon plate fixation allowed successful stabilization of a highly comminuted calcaneus fracture in a dog with fragments too small for traditional fixation.
- The plate was sutured to the common calcaneal tendon using a figure-of-8 pattern, bypassing the need for screw fixation into small proximal fragments.
- Radiographic union was achieved by 17 weeks, though considered delayed, with the dog returning to normal function by 36 weeks post-op.
- A second surgery was required to replace the tendon-anchored plate with a calcaneus-only plate due to skin ulceration and implant prominence.
- Implant-associated infection was suspected; cultures confirmed Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, managed with doxycycline and clindamycin.
- Use of human placental matrix (hPM) and both autogenous and allogenic bone grafts supported healing, though their specific contribution remains uncertain.
- Postoperative complications included delayed union and skin ulceration, emphasizing challenges of implant design and soft tissue management.
- This is the first report of using a bone-to-tendon plate for a calcaneus fracture in dogs and demonstrates its potential in cases where traditional methods are not viable.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2022
Use of a bone‐to‐tendon plate to stabilize a comminuted calcaneus fracture in a dog
2022-5-VS-evers-1
In Jones 2024 et al., on surgical technique mortality, what possible reason was proposed for increased mortality with BVSD?
🔍 Key Findings
- Study compared 606 dogs (English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs) undergoing partial staphylectomy via CO₂ laser, bipolar vessel sealing device (BVSD), or conventional incision.
- Mortality rate: 4.0% (24/606).
- BVSD was associated with significantly increased perioperative mortality compared to other methods (OR = 6.0, 95% CI: 1.3–28.4, p = .023).
- High-grade laryngeal collapse (stage II or III) independently increased mortality risk (OR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.8–11.8, p = .002).
- No difference in mortality between CO₂ laser and conventional incision techniques.
- CO₂ laser and conventional techniques had similar complication rates.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2024
Comparison of mortality of brachycephalic dogs undergoing partial staphylectomy using conventional incisional, carbon dioxide laser, or bipolar vessel sealing device
2024-1-VS-jones-5
In Mihara 2024 et al., on mitral valve repair in dogs, which technique was used during MVP?
🔍 Key Findings
- Mitral valve plasty (MVP) in dogs with MMVD significantly reduced regurgitant volume and fraction, and normalized LA:Ao ratio, indicating reversal of volume overload.
- MVP altered mitral valve geometry, with reduced annular dimensions and increased coaptation length, enhancing valve competence.
- Postoperative LA:Ao ratio dropped from 2.2 to 1.2, consistent with improved left atrial pressure and size.
- Forward stroke volume index and cardiac index increased at 3 months, reflecting improved hemodynamic function despite reduced fractional shortening.
- Three dogs (3.9%) died postoperatively, highlighting a 96.1% survival rate within 3 months.
- The repair technique involved artificial chordal replacement and annuloplasty; no cleft closure or leaflet suturing was used.
- Color Doppler echocardiography confirmed substantial reduction in mitral regurgitation postoperatively in most dogs.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2024
Effects of mitral valve repair on valvular geometry and hemodynamics in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
2024-3-VS-mihara-3
In Walker 2022 et al., on TPLO mRUST scoring, what effect did bilateral cruciate ligament injury have on healing between staged TPLOs?
🔍 Key Findings
- TPLO mRUST scoring showed improved inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.56) compared to subjective evaluation (Kappa = 0.33).
- Intra-rater reliability was similar for both methods (TPLO mRUST: 0.73, subjective: 0.72).
- TPLO mRUST scores ≥10/12 strongly correlated with radiographic union, as subjectively assessed (99% agreement).
- No significant difference in healing between first and second TPLO sides (P = .09), countering assumptions about load-bearing impact.
- Higher initial lameness scores and younger age were associated with higher TPLO mRUST scores, suggesting more robust healing in those groups.
- Postoperative complications were linked to lower TPLO mRUST scores, indicating impaired healing.
- Medial cortex was excluded from scoring due to plate obstruction, validating use of only 3 cortices for scoring.
- The TPLO mRUST system may standardize healing assessment, reducing subjective bias across specialties.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2022
Evaluation of a modified radiographic union scale for tibial fractures scoring system in staged bilateral tibial plateau leveling osteotomy procedures and comparison of first and second side radiographic bone healing
2022-8-VS-walker-4
In Chik 2024 et al., on cholangioscopy feasibility, what was one major advantage of disposable flexible endoscopes noted by the authors?
🔍 Key Findings
- Open transcholecystic cholangioscopy was feasible using a 3.8 mm disposable flexible endoscope in all 8 canine cadavers.
- Visualization was consistently achieved up to the junction of the hepatic ducts, common bile duct, and cystic duct.
- Advancement past the junction was limited by the endoscope diameter (3.8 mm) and anatomical flexure.
- The 1.9 mm flexible ureteroscope could visualize the entire biliary tree, including the major duodenal papilla, in a large dog (43.8 kg).
- Endoscopic tools (e.g., 3 Fr grasping forceps) could be passed through the working channel only after removing the irrigation line.
- Standard biopsy forceps were incompatible with the disposable endoscope's 1.2 mm working channel.
- Cadaver study showed no rupture, but clinical extrapolation is limited due to lack of diseased tissue.
- Disposable endoscope setup cost (~$6,100) was significantly lower than traditional endoscopy systems (~$75,000–100,000), improving accessibility.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2024
Feasibility of open cholangioscopy with disposable flexible endoscopes
2024-7-VS-chik-5
In Carvajal 2023 et al., on serum biomarkers post-THA, what was the observed trend in CRP levels from preoperative to 6-month follow-up?
🔍 Key Findings
- C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels remained low at 3 and 6 months after uncomplicated THA in dogs.
- No significant differences were observed in CRP or SAA between preoperative, 3-month, and 6-month time points.
- Mean CRP values were 3.8 mg/L pre-op, 0.8 mg/L at 3 months, and 1.4 mg/L at 6 months.
- Mean SAA values were 13.9 mg/L pre-op, 14.1 mg/L at 3 months, and 18.4 mg/L at 6 months.
- All dogs recovered normally with no complications or persistent signs of inflammation at follow-up.
- Study establishes baseline CRP and SAA levels for dogs post-THA, useful for comparison in suspected PJI.
- These markers may help differentiate periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) if values deviate from baseline post-THA.
- NSAID therapy was discontinued by 6 months in all dogs, possibly reflecting decreased inflammation.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2023
Serum acute-phase protein concentrations following uncomplicated total hip arthroplasty in dogs
2023-1-VS-carvajal-1
In Huels 2025 et al., on second-generation screw cup THA, what was the observed rate of late aseptic loosening?
🔍 Key Findings
- Total complication rate was 16.7%, with 5/30 hips experiencing major complications, mostly related to the femoral component.
- Cup-associated complications were rare (3.3%), with only one case of acetabular cup luxation attributed to surgical technique rather than implant failure.
- No cases of late aseptic loosening were observed during a median follow-up of 17.5 months.
- Implant stability was attributed to the SCSL's porous, trabecular titanium surface, enhancing osseointegration.
- Three femoral stem fractures occurred in a single dog, leading to implant removal; material testing was not performed.
- Most complications were femoral in origin (6/7), not acetabular, suggesting improved performance of the SCSL.
- Explantation rate was 13% (4/30), but some removals were due to owner preference against revision.
- Subjective functional outcome was full recovery in 26/30 hips, including one with successful revision of stem subsidence.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
2
2025
Complications and Long-Term Outcome in 30 Canine Total Hip Arthroplasties Using a Second-Generation Selective Laser Melted Screw Cup
2025-2-VCOT-huels-1
In Veytsman 2023 et al., on feline insulinoma outcomes, what was the median disease-free interval (DFI) in cats without metastasis?
🔍 Key Findings
- Surgical excision of insulinomas resulted in euglycemia or hyperglycemia in 90% of cats immediately post-op.
- 18/20 cats (90%) survived to hospital discharge, with a median survival time of 863 days.
- Younger age, metastasis at surgery, tumor invasion, and lower glucose levels were negative prognostic factors.
- Two cats had stage III disease with metastasis; one lived 413 days post-op, suggesting some benefit to surgery even in advanced disease.
- Postoperative hypoglycemia and seizure activity were associated with poorer outcomes; one cat euthanized due to seizures despite euglycemia.
- Median disease-free interval (DFI) was 1052 days; for cats with metastasis, DFI dropped to 93 days.
- Partial pancreatectomy was performed in 11 cats, nodulectomy in 10, and enucleation in 1; method of resection not linked to outcome.
- Postoperative complications occurred in 25% of cats; most were manageable with supportive care.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2023
Retrospective study of 20 cats surgically treated for insulinoma
2023-1-VS-veytsman-5
In Zann 2023 et al., on proximal humeral OC surgery, how did peak vertical force and vertical impulse compare between limbs?
🔍 Key Findings
- All dogs developed progressive osteoarthritis (OA) after surgical debridement of proximal humeral OC.
- Ipsilateral muscle atrophy and reduced shoulder range of motion were common, particularly in unilaterally affected dogs.
- Arthroscopically, lesions showed incomplete cartilage infilling even years after surgery, averaging only ~37% infilling.
- Synovitis was present in all joints, with moderate-to-severe hypertrophy and vascularity scores.
- CT identified OC lesions as deeper and wider than radiography, and all affected joints had more advanced OA than contralateral limbs (P = .001 radiograph, P = .005 CT).
- Kinetic gait analysis showed no significant differences in peak vertical force or impulse, but a subtle 4.4% asymmetric load reduction on the operated limb.
- Median LOAD score was 6, indicating mild owner-perceived disability despite measurable clinical and imaging abnormalities.
- Cartilage infilling was incomplete in all cases, with no lesion exceeding 60% restoration, raising questions about the healing potential of debridement alone.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2023
Long-term outcome of dogs treated by surgical debridement of proximal humeral osteochondrosis
2023-6-vs-zann-5
In Wolfe 2025 et al., on endoscopic corpectomy feasibility, which positioning strategy subjectively improved drill trajectory?
🔍 Key Findings
- Integrated endoscopic mini-hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy was feasible at all targeted sites from T11–12 through L3–4.
- Target corpectomy dimensions were achieved or exceeded at every included intervertebral disc space.
- Median corpectomy dimensions were ~23% vertebral body length, ~47% body height, and ~74% vertebral canal diameter.
- Thoracic sites required a steeper learning curve, with early failures related to cannula positioning rather than drilling limitations.
- Angled positioning (30°–60° away from the surgeon) subjectively improved drill trajectory and facilitated horizontal corpectomy access.
- No rib head resection or rhizotomy was required to achieve target dimensions using the endoscopic system.
- Excellent visualization of nerve roots and spinal cord was achieved through the 23-mm endoscopic cannula.
- Incorrect intervertebral disc localization was the most common technical error, highlighting the value of intraoperative fluoroscopy.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2025
Integrated endoscopic thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy in cadaver dogs
2025-8-vs-wolfe-3
Quiz Results
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Key Findings