
Your Custom Quiz
In Alvarez 2022 et al., on rehabilitation modalities, what was a major limitation noted across many studies included in the systematic review?
🔍 Key Findings
- Exercise-based rehabilitation showed benefits in 6 of 7 studies, including increased peak vertical force (PVF) and reduced lameness, though most had high risk of bias (RoB).
- Cold compression therapy (CCT) had 2 high-quality (Level II, low RoB) studies showing improvements in pain scores, range of motion, and swelling, supporting its clinical use.
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) was supported by 2 Level II studies; only one had low RoB, showing short-term benefits in patellar ligament thickness and PVF, but no long-term benefit on bone healing.
- Photobiomodulation (PBM) had mixed results across 3 Level II studies (all low RoB); only 1 showed positive impact on PVF, limiting its recommendation.
- Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) showed no significant impact on gait analysis or bone healing in a Level II, low RoB study.
- Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) improved lameness and thigh circumference in one Level III study, but had high-moderate RoB and involved experimentally-induced CCL rupture, limiting clinical relevance.
- No modality beyond exercise and CCT had consistent or strong evidence for efficacy in post-TPLO or extracapsular repair rehabilitation.
- The absence of standardized protocols, small sample sizes, and inconsistent outcome measures limited the generalizability of findings.
Veterinary Surgery
2
2022
Systematic review of postoperative rehabilitation interventions after cranial cruciate ligament surgery in dogs
2022-2-VS-alvarez-3
In Fracka 2024 et al., on perioperative risk factors, what factor was present only in dogs with complications but excluded from the final model due to statistical instability?
🔍 Key Findings
- Staphylectomy was linked to higher risk of complicated recovery than folded flap palatoplasty (OR = 59.29, p = .0002).
- Laryngeal collapse > Grade 2 was strongly associated with poor recovery (OR = 97.13, p < .0001).
- Longer general anesthesia duration increased the risk of complications (OR = 1.01 per min, p = .0051).
- Increasing age significantly raised the odds of perioperative complication (OR = 1.04 per month, p = .0113).
- History of aspiration pneumonia was only found in dogs with complications, though not in final model due to instability.
- Complicated recovery included >12 h O₂ therapy, tracheostomy, or death.
- FFP may reduce pharyngeal-laryngeal edema, possibly improving immediate outcomes.
- Bulldogs comprised 80% of population, with French Bulldogs most common (63%).
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Risk factors for complicated perioperative recovery in dogs undergoing staphylectomy or folded flap palatoplasty: Seventy-six cases (2018–2022)
2024-4-VS-fracka-5
In Lotsikas 2025 et al., on stifle distraction portal, what was the most frequently affected cartilage zone in terms of iatrogenic damage?
🔍 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
Veterinary Surgery
3
2025
Proximal lateral insertion portal of an intra-articular arthroscopic stifle lever: A cadaveric study
2025-3-VS-lotsikas-2
In Longo 2023 et al., on CT trochlear measurements, what was the most reliable parameter for determining the need for trochleoplasty in dogs with MPL?
🔍 Key Findings
- Dogs with MPL had significantly shallower femoral trochlear grooves compared to controls, based on CT-measured femoral trochlear groove angle (FTGA).
- FTGA >134° in small breeds (SB) and >128° in medium/large breeds (MLB) were associated with MPL and can serve as surgical thresholds for considering trochleoplasty.
- FTA and FTRIA measurements were less reliable, showing lower sensitivity/specificity than FTGA.
- Inter-rater reliability for FTGA was excellent (ICC > 0.9), supporting its use in clinical decision-making.
- FTGA differed significantly between SB and MLB dogs, suggesting anatomical variation influences MPL predisposition.
- Dogs with MPL but with FTGA below threshold may not benefit from trochleoplasty, supporting individualized surgical planning.
- CT provides more precise and reproducible evaluation of trochlear morphology than radiography or ultrasound.
- The study introduces a CT protocol using P25 and P50 reference points for consistent FTGA measurement.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2023
Computed tomographic measurements of the femoral trochlea in dogs with and without medial patellar luxation
2023-3-VS-longo-1
In Mullen 2024 et al., on NIRF for GDV, what intraoperative variable was significantly different between viable and nonviable groups?
🔍 Key Findings
- NIRF altered surgical strategy in 3 of 20 GDV dogs, identifying necrosis not appreciated subjectively.
- Fundic fluorescence <10% indicated histologically confirmed gastric necrosis.
- In 1 dog, NIRF revealed nonviability despite the surgeon’s impression of viability.
- Staple line fluorescence resembled viable tissue in the only stapled gastrectomy, suggesting preservation of perfusion.
- GDV dogs (even “viable”) showed lower fluorescence vs. healthy controls, indicating subclinical vascular compromise.
- Histology confirmed full-thickness necrosis in all 4 dogs with NIRF-defined nonviability.
- Pre-op lactate was significantly higher in nonviable GDV dogs (8.55 vs 4.89 mmol/L, p=0.03).
- No complications were reported from ICG use; imaging was safe and repeatable.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Use of real-time near-infrared fluorescence to assess gastric viability in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus: A case-control study
2024-4-VS-mullen-5
In Gibson 2024 et al., on mediastinoscopy in dogs, what lymph node was **most consistently retrieved** using the SILS-port technique?
🔍 Key Findings
- Mediastinoscopy was technically feasible in large-breed canine cadavers using a SILS port and standard laparoscopic instruments.
- The left tracheobronchial lymph node (LTBLN) was successfully retrieved in all cadavers (7/7), while cranial mediastinal lymph nodes were retrieved in only 1/7.
- Postprocedural pleural gas was observed in 4/7 cadavers, likely due to CO₂ insufflation.
- Instrument limitations with a human-designed mediastinoscope led to preference for laparoscopic instruments and SILS port for improved access and visualization.
- Complication rates were low, with only two minor (Grade 1) adverse events (pleural tear and LN rupture).
- Obesity and mediastinal fat were cited as potential challenges to visualization and node retrieval.
- NASA-TLX workload scores were lowest for tracheobronchial nodes, indicating these were the easiest to access.
- The authors concluded this approach may facilitate minimally invasive biopsy or resection of cranial mediastinal masses in live dogs, but clinical trials are needed to validate safety and efficacy.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Evaluation of mediastinoscopy for cranial mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymphadenectomy in canine cadavers
2024-5-VS-gibson-1
In McLean 2024 et al., what was the average increase in TPA among dogs with rock-back?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- 95 TPLO procedures reviewed retrospectively with follow-up radiographs
- Rock-back defined as increase in tibial plateau angle (TPA) ≥2° from immediate post-op to recheck
- 21% of stifles (20/95) experienced rock-back
- Mean ΔTPA among rock-back cases = 3.2° ± 2.6°
- No implant failures or tibial tuberosity fractures were reported in these cases
- Plate inclination and exit cut angle (ECA) were not associated with increased risk of rock-back (p = 0.4 and 0.2)
- Authors hypothesize that compression across osteotomy in vivo may mitigate torsional effects from ECA, unlike in gap-model studies
- Emphasizes that rock-back is relatively common, even with well-placed implants
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
6
2024
Effect of Plate Inclination and Osteotomy Positioning on Rock-back following Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy in Dogs
2024-6-VCOT-mclean-3
In Lee 2022 et al., on TPLO accuracy, what was the main benefit of using the 3D-printed saw guide in bone models?
🔍 Key Findings
- 3D-printed TPLO guides significantly reduced osteotomy inclination angle in both bone models and cadaver limbs compared to jig alone (P < .001).
- Torsional deformities were lower when the 3D-printed guide was used in bone models (P < .001), but not significantly different in cadavers.
- Angular deformities were significantly reduced in cadavers using 3D-printed guides (P < .001).
- Proximal jig pin angulation was more accurate with the guide in cadavers (P < .001); not significant in bone models.
- Medial cortex damage was substantially reduced in bone models when the 3D-printed guide was used (P < .001).
- Postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) did not differ significantly between groups, suggesting that clinical alignment can still be achieved without the guide.
- Clinical significance of improved metrics is uncertain, but improved precision may reduce surgical complications.
- 3D guide design allowed direct placement of jig and bone plate, potentially improving workflow and safety.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2022
Evaluation of a customized 3D‐printed saw guide for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy: An ex vivo study
2022-6-VS-lee-1
In Clarke 2022 et al., on nasopharyngeal collapse severity, what was the statistical outcome of comparing pre- and postoperative collapse measurements?
🔍 Key Findings
- Nasopharyngeal collapse was significantly more severe in brachycephalic dogs (median 65%) than in nonbrachycephalic controls (median 10%) (p = .0001).
- Postoperative fluoroscopy showed no significant improvement in nasopharyngeal collapse (p = .0505), despite reported clinical improvement.
- 70% of brachycephalic dogs had ≥50% collapse; 26% had 100% collapse preoperatively.
- All owners of surgical cases reported clinical improvement, including reduced respiratory noise and improved exercise tolerance.
- Surgical techniques used included combinations of alaplasty, staphylectomy, sacculectomy, and tonsillectomy.
- Improvement in nasopharyngeal dimensions was variable, with some dogs improving ≥45%, some worsening, and one dog showing a 100% increase post-op.
- Pharyngeal collapse may not be solely anatomical; neuromuscular dysfunction (e.g., reduced pharyngeal dilator muscle function) may contribute.
- Current surgical techniques may not address functional airway abnormalities, suggesting a need for multimodal or targeted interventions.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2022
Severity of nasopharyngeal collapse before and after corrective upper airway surgery in brachycephalic dogs
2022-6-VS-clarke-3
In Dalton 2023 et al., In Minimally invasive acetabular fracture repair in dogs, what reduction quality was reported in cadaveric cases?
🔍 Key Findings
- Feasibility study in 5 canine cadavers plus 1 clinical case (Chihuahua, 5.5 kg).
- Technique used two small approaches (caudal and craniolateral) connected with an epiperiosteal tunnel.
- Plates were precontoured on mirrored 3D-printed hemipelves to improve fit and reduce intraoperative bending.
- Cadaver outcomes: fracture gap <2 mm, step defect <1 mm, pelvic angulation <5°.
- Sciatic nerve injury was minimal: 1/5 cadavers had a mild indentation; others had no gross injury.
- Median total surgical time: ~46 minutes in cadavers; incisions ~5 cm.
- Clinical Chihuahua case: weight-bearing within 24 hrs, radiographic union at 3 months; one screw fractured but no adverse effect.
- Authors conclude: MIAF with 3D printing is feasible and accurate, but requires further evaluation before routine use.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2023
Minimally invasive repair of acetabular fractures in dogs: Ex vivo feasibility study and case report
2023-7-VS-dalton-4
Quiz Results
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