
Your Custom Quiz
In Almeida 2025 et al., on TPLO and partial CCL rupture, what impact did partial CCL rupture have on postoperative patellar ligament shortening?
🔍 Key Findings
- Transecting the CCL remnant during TPLO did not reduce patellar ligament thickening (PLT) at any measured point (proximal, mid, distal).
- Transection also failed to reduce postoperative patellar ligament shortening (PLL) at 6 weeks.
- Both groups (transected vs non-transected) showed significant thickening and shortening, with greatest PLT increase at the midpoint.
- Increased PLT was positively correlated with tibial plateau rotation (p = 0.02) and postoperative TPA (p = 0.04).
- No correlation between TT-O (tibial tuberosity width index) and PLT, suggesting narrow osteotomies did not influence PLT in this population.
- Partial CCL rupture was not significantly protective; dogs with partial tears still developed ligament thickening.
- Post-TPLO mid-patellar ligament thickening may relate to Gelpi retractor placement and osteotomy mechanics rather than CCL status.
- Authors do not recommend CCL transection during TPLO to prevent desmitis, citing possible increased instability and degeneration.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
4
2025
Effect of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Transection during TPLO on Patellar Desmitis in Dogs with Partial Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
2025-4-VCOT-almeida-5
In Radke 2022 et al., on outcome measure validation, which of the following OROMs demonstrated the **most rigorous development process** according to COSMIN criteria?
🔍 Key Findings
- CBPI, COI, and LOAD are recommended for assessing canine osteoarthritis based on COSMIN criteria.
- COI scored highest in development rigor and evidence quality among evaluated OROMs.
- Internal consistency, reliability, and responsiveness were commonly validated, though no OROMs reported measurement error.
- LOAD was considered formative, and internal consistency assessment was deemed unnecessary.
- CBPI and COI showed sufficient internal consistency, but CBPI’s factor structure was inconsistent across studies.
- All 6 evaluated OROMs (CBPI, COI, LOAD, BHSII, HCPI, HVAS) were quick to complete (under 5 min).
- Three tools—BHSII, HCPI, HVAS—need more evidence before recommendation; only CBPI, COI, and LOAD are Category A (recommended).
- Future studies should assess interpretability, including measurement error and clinically meaningful change scores (MIC, SDC).
Veterinary Surgery
2
2022
Evidence‐based evaluation of owner‐reported outcome measures for canine orthopedic care – a COSMIN evaluation of 6 instruments
2022-2-VS-radke-1
In Hawker 2024 et al., on checklist attitudes, what was a leading barrier cited for noncompletion of SSCs?
🔍 Key Findings
- 67.9% of respondents reported using SSCs, with most indicating frequent use (64% used in every surgery).
- 78.7% agreed SSCs reduce complications, and 89.6% believed SSCs improve communication.
- Respondents not using SSCs were more likely to view them as a waste of time (p < .001).
- Forgetfulness (39.6%) and time constraints (36.5%) were leading reasons for checklist noncompletion.
- Only 23.3% had SSC training during surgical residency, with newer diplomates more likely to have had exposure (p < .001).
- Key strategies to improve uptake included: staff feedback modifications (67.9%), formal designation of initiator (48.6%), and training (52.2%).
- Surgeons and OR staff were most commonly identified as noncompliant team members.
- SSC use was more frequent in small animal practices, and mandating SSCs by management was favored but not always effective alone.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Attitudes towards surgical safety checklists among American College of Veterinary Surgeons diplomates
2024-5-VS-hawker-2
In Saitoh 2025 et al., on CTS stabilization, which group of dogs all returned to work after CTS stabilization?
🔍 Key Findings
Study population: 12 dogs with medial or lateral tarsocrural joint instability (TCI), including 5 working farm dogs.
Procedure: Temporary immobilization using a calcaneotibial screw (CTS) combined with external coaptation (EC).
Stabilization techniques:
- 3 dogs = primary ligamentous repair
- 8 dogs = synthetic ligament reconstruction
- 2 dogs = malleolar fracture repair
Follow-up: Median 31 months (range 4–66); 10 owners completed outcome survey.
Outcomes:
- All 10 dogs had improved or resolved lameness.
- All 5 farm dogs returned to work (most at full or substantial capacity).
- Complication rate: 4 distinct events in 3 dogs (1 major = CTS breakage; 3 minor = bandage-related soft tissue injuries).
Conclusion: CTS + EC provided effective immobilization with low complication rate, and functional outcomes were favorable even in active dogs.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2025
Retrospective evaluation of postoperative joint immobilization using a temporary calcaneotibial screw for medial or lateral tarsocrural joint instability in dogs
2025-1-VS-saitoh-4
In Zann 2023 et al., on proximal humeral OC surgery, what was the most common arthroscopic finding in previously treated shoulders?
🔍 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-1
In Enright 2022 et al., on adrenalectomy outcomes, which of the following best describes the association between alpha-blocker use and intraoperative hypertension?
🔍 Key Findings
- 83% of dogs survived to discharge after adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.
- Median survival time post-discharge was 1169 days (3.2 years).
- Preoperative alpha-blocker therapy (e.g., phenoxybenzamine) was not associated with improved survival.
- Dogs receiving alpha-blockers had higher intraoperative systolic BP, with median values 170 mmHg vs. 142 mmHg in non-treated dogs (P = .01).
- Intraoperative arrhythmias occurred in 30% of cases, with no difference between dogs receiving alpha-blockers and those not.
- Histologic vascular invasion occurred in ~70% of tumors.
- Tumor recurrence was suspected in 3 dogs, and metastasis in 8 dogs, though not histologically confirmed in most cases.
- Postoperative complications included refractory hypotension, acute kidney injury, and hypertension persisting >48 hours in 10 dogs.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2022
Short‐ and long‐term survival after adrenalectomy in 53 dogs with pheochromocytomas with or without alpha‐blocker therapy
2022-3-VS-enright-3
In Bohin 2026 et al., on feline Achilles repair, which major complication was directly attributed to interference screw malposition?
🔍 Key Findings
- UHMWPE implant reconstruction resulted in successful long-term functional recovery in 11/12 limbs (91.7%) with complete follow-up, with restoration of normal tarsal motion in most cats.
- All injuries occurred at the tendino-osseous junction, with 53.8% being complete Achilles tendon ruptures and 46.2% partial gastrocnemius avulsions (Type IIc).
- No intraoperative complications occurred in any of the 13 repaired limbs.
- Complication rate was low (15.4%), with only one calcaneal fracture from screw malposition and one surgical site infection causing implant failure.
- External coaptation was not required in all cases, and outcomes did not differ between limbs with or without rigid coaptation.
- Median long-term follow-up was 18.5 months, with a median FMPI score of 1.5 indicating excellent owner-reported limb function.
- Calcaneal fracture risk was associated with distal interference screw malposition, emphasizing the importance of correct screw placement proximal and caudal to the talocalcaneal central joint.
- The technique may reduce complications associated with transarticular fixation or external skeletal fixation, potentially improving short-term recovery while preserving tendon loading during healing.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2026
Outcomes of 11 cats with Achilles tendon (AT) rupture repair treated with a synthetic ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
2026-4-vs-bohin-3
In Isono 2025 et al., on tibial malalignment in MPL, which of the following parameters was newly introduced and found to correlate with both TTA and CRA?
🔍 Key Findings
- Proximal Tibia Metatarsal Angle (PTMTA) was significantly increased in dogs with grade 3 and 4 MPL, making it a useful marker for severity.
- PTMTA strongly correlated with Tibial Torsion Angle (TTA) (r = 0.733) and Crural Rotation Angle (CRA) (r = 0.643), integrating multiple morphological deformities.
- Grade 4 MPL cases showed significant internal tibial torsion, increased mMPTA, and decreased MDTT/PTW—indicating both rotation and medial displacement.
- DTMTA was significantly more negative in grade 4, indicating a consistent pattern of internal foot rotation with disease severity.
- PTMTA can be visually assessed during palpation, offering preoperative utility without CT.
- Among toy poodles, PTMTA showed significant differences even between grades 3 and normal, suggesting breed-specific severity patterns.
- Corrective osteotomy may need to address tibial as well as femoral deformities in severe MPL cases with high PTMTA.
- Younger dogs with grade 4 MPL had more severe deformities, possibly due to early onset or developmental progression.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
4
2025
Tibial Torsion Malalignment in Small Dogs with Medial Patellar Luxation
2025-4-VCOT-isono-1
In Fitzpatrick 2024 et al., on ESF for pelvic fractures in cats, what was reported regarding the need for revision surgery?
🔍 Key Findings
- External skeletal fixation (ESF) was successfully applied to a variety of pelvic fracture types in cats, including sacroiliac luxations and ilial body fractures.
- All fractures achieved radiographic union within 9 weeks, even in comminuted or complex configurations.
- No intraoperative or long-term complications were reported during the study period.
- Implant loosening was observed radiographically in 13% of cases, with 8% of pins found to be loose at frame removal.
- ESF enabled indirect fracture reduction using components as handles, with a limited open approach minimizing soft tissue disruption.
- No iatrogenic neurological deficits were observed, supporting safe pin placement near neurovascular structures, although some cats presented with pre-existing neurologic signs.
- No cases required revision surgery, and all cats underwent stabilization solely with ESF as per study inclusion criteria.
- Postoperative hospitalization ranged from 2 to 5 days, though no comparison to other fixation types was evaluated.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2024
External skeletal fixation for the treatment of pelvic fractures in cats
2024-7-VS-fitzpatrick-5
In Von Pfeil 2024 et al., on acute ulnar shortening in dogs, what was the median time to radiographic bone healing?
🔍 Key Findings
- All dogs (11/11) showed improved radiohumeral articulation postoperatively, confirmed arthroscopically.
- Median shortening: radioulnar (3.2 mm), humeroradial (1.8 mm), humeroulnar (1.2 mm).
- Median lameness score improved from 2/4 to 1/4 by final follow-up.
- Bone healing achieved in a median of 8 weeks (range: 4–14 weeks).
- No major complications; minor issues included 1 screw loosening and 1 superficial infection.
- Subjective function was graded full in 4 dogs, acceptable in 7.
- Arthroscopy enabled accurate dynamic joint assessment, preferred over static radiographs.
- Use of both orthopedic wire and plating provided secure fixation and improved outcomes.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2024
Outcomes of 11 dogs with short radius syndrome treated with acute arthroscopically assisted ulnar shortening
2024-3-VS-pfeil-1
Quiz Results
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Key Findings
