🔍 Key Findings

Incidence of BFX lateral bolt stem breakage: 2.95% (13 dogs, 14 stems)

Implant factors:

• 13/14 were BFX lateral bolt stems (sizes #5–7)
• +9 necks used in 5/11 of 17 mm heads
• 10/14 stems undersized based on radiographs
• 10/13 dogs exceeded weight limits for implanted stem size

Malalignment:

• 10/14 had varus alignment (median 3.9°)
• 8/14 had insufficient proximodistal seating

Breakage site: Proximolateral shoulder in all cases

Revision outcomes:

• 11 revised (7 CFX, 3 larger BFX, 1 collared)
• 9/10 revised dogs regained full function
• Complications: 1 rebreakage, 1 periprosthetic fracture, 1 fixation failure

Histopathology:

• Electron microscopy showed fatigue striations and incomplete bead fusion

Conclusion: Avoid small BFX lateral bolt stems if undersized or if long necks required; use weight guidelines to prevent fatigue failure.

🔍 Key Findings

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was successfully performed in all 22 cats without conversion to open surgery.
• Complication rate was low: 3 cats had postoperative complications (1 seroma, 1 vomiting, 1 EHBDO and death).
• Median operating time was 41 minutes; median hospitalization was 3 days.
• No cases required conversion to open laparotomy, even in cats as small as 2.5 kg.
• Common devices used: Hemoclips or Hem-o-lok for cystic duct ligation; Ligasure, harmonic scalpel, or j-hook for dissection.
• Most common indications: cholelithiasis (9/22) and cholecystitis (10/22), with one biliary mucocele and one adenoma.
• Histopathology confirmed diagnosis in all cases; concurrent liver or intestinal biopsies were performed in some cats.
• Postoperative AUS and bloodwork were routine and important for detecting early signs of EHBDO.

🔍 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

40 dogs underwent splenectomy using 16 bipolar vessel sealing devices (VSDs)
Devices were reused up to 4 times after handwashing and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization
Biologic debris was found in 100% of devices, specifically under the transection blade, even after a single use

• Mostly scant (14/16) or mild (2/16) debris

No devices or debris yielded positive aerobic culture after EtO sterilization
EtO sterilization proved microbiologically effective despite visible residue
Perioperative failure rate: 1 device (malfunctioned during first activation)

🔍 Key Findings

• Fasting ammonia (FA) was the most specific test (100%) for confirming EHPSS closure postoperatively.
• Serum hyaluronic acid (SHA) and MEGX at 15 minutes post-lidocaine were the most sensitive tests (96.9% and 96.2%, respectively).
• SHA combined with MEGX T15, or with FA or postprandial serum bile acids (SBA), provided 100% sensitivity with good specificity (72.4–82.8%).
• SHA levels remained elevated in all dogs with persistent shunting, even when other tests were normal.
• Paired SBA had moderate sensitivity (90%) and variable specificity (89%).
• The L/MEGX test at 30 min was less useful than at 15 min for assessing closure.
• Traditional SBA testing showed reduced utility postoperatively; normal values did not rule out persistent shunting.
• Blood tests improved when combined, but imaging remains essential to definitively confirm EHPSS closure.

🔍 Key Findings

• Two-pin fixation had significantly greater strength (639 N) than single-pin fixation (426 N) in TTAF models (p = .003).
• Stiffness was also higher with two-pin constructs (72 N/mm vs 57 N/mm); statistically significant (p = .029).
• Both fixation types withstood loads greater than quadriceps force in dogs at a walk (240 N), indicating clinical viability.
• Failure was most commonly due to pin bending or pullout (82%), with fewer cases of ligament tearing or epiphyseal fracture.
• K-wire insertion angle (KWIA) did not significantly differ between fixation types (p = .13).
• Single larger pins delivered ~68% of the strength and ~83% of the stiffness of two smaller vertically aligned pins.
• Clinical implication: Two vertically aligned pins are biomechanically superior for TTAF fixation in canine models.
• Study used mature cadavers, which may underestimate loads and stiffness compared to immature clinical cases.

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• SVAPs placed in axillary (aSVAP) or femoral/external iliac veins (fSVAP) during limb amputation remained functional in 92.3% and 100% of cases, respectively.
• Complication rates were lower in aSVAP (23.1%) and fSVAP (0%) compared to jSVAP (47.4%), although not statistically significant (P = .12).
• No catastrophic complications occurred with aSVAP or fSVAP; 2 deaths occurred with jSVAP due to port-related issues.
• Infection-related port removal was needed in 1 aSVAP (7.7%) and 2 jSVAPs (10.5%) — no removals were required in fSVAPs.
• Tip placement of the catheter (e.g., right atrium vs. vena cava) did not correlate with complications (P = .66).
• Shorter surgical time likely with aSVAP/fSVAP as they use the same surgical field as the limb amputation.
• Survival time median was similar across groups (jSVAP: 177 days, aSVAP: 125 days, fSVAP: 122 days).
• SVAP implantation during limb amputation offers a practical and safe alternative to separate jugular placement.

🔍 Key Findings

• Augmenting FEESA with two simple interrupted crotch sutures (TCS) or simple continuous crotch suture (SCCS) significantly increased initial leakage pressure (ILP) compared to no suture or a single suture (NCS, SICS).
• SCCS had the highest ILP (47.6 mm Hg), followed by TCS (37.8 mm Hg), SICS (33.0 mm Hg), and NCS (27.1 mm Hg).
• All crotch suture types increased maximal leakage pressure (MLP) compared to no crotch suture.
• Leakage from the crotch occurred most commonly in NCS (67%) and SICS (50%), but only 8% with TCS and 0% with SCCS.
• SCCS was the only technique where leakage never occurred at the crotch site.
• SCCS had the highest MLP (100.6 mm Hg), supporting its use in clinical settings with high-risk patients.
• Intraluminal pressures during leakage in NCS constructs were sometimes below normal physiologic pressures, emphasizing risk of leakage without crotch suture.
• The transverse staple line never leaked in any group, indicating the crotch is the primary weak point.

🔍 Key Findings

• HIF-affected dogs had significantly greater angle A and B, indicating increased axial articular angulation of the medial and lateral humeral condyle (p < .001).
• Vertical condylar height (lengths a and b) was significantly greater in HIF-affected dogs compared to controls (p = .007 and p < .001 respectively).
• Angle G (dorsal plane medial condyle angle) was also significantly greater in HIF-affected dogs, suggesting altered medial humeral morphology (p < .001).
• The angle between axial surfaces (A–B angle) was significantly more acute in HIF dogs (107.4° vs. 114.2°, p < .001), suggesting potential for increased shear force.
• Springer Spaniels with HIF showed significantly greater angulation and vertical height than unaffected Springer controls (p < .001 to .007 across variables).
• Morphological differences persisted across non-spaniel breeds, reinforcing that altered condylar geometry is not breed-restricted.
• Authors propose that greater condylar angulation contributes to shear stress, orthogonal to the fissure, possibly contributing to HIF pathogenesis.
• These morphologic alterations could inform future screening or preventive strategies, and may explain variable surgical outcomes and implant failure.