🔍 Key Findings

Design: Ex vivo cadaver study (n=8 dogs, 24 sites)
Comparison: Freehand vs. 3D-printed drill guide-assisted ventral slot (GAVS vs FHVS)
Findings:

• GAVS produced slots not significantly different from planned dimensions (p = .722–.875)
• FHVS produced significantly shorter slots than intended (p < .01)
• No difference in surgical time (p = .071)
• Shape ratio and slot divergence from midline were similar between groups (p > .4)
• Use of guide significantly reduced variability in slot position (63% → 29%), shape (65% → 24%), and divergence (54% → 50%)

Conclusion: 3D-printed guides improved accuracy and consistency of ventral slot creation by novice surgeons; supports future evaluation in live dogs and small breeds

🔍 Key Findings

• Free autologous omentum grafting (OG) successfully reconstructed distal limb wounds in dogs, with complete epithelialization achieved in all treated wounds (13 wounds in 10 dogs).
• Mean wound size at treatment was 25.96 ± 16.27 cm², indicating the technique was used for relatively large distal limb defects.
• Average time to wound healing was 59.5 ± 11.1 days, demonstrating effective closure despite challenging distal limb anatomy.
• By 30 days postoperatively, wounds decreased to ~18.9% of their original area, reflecting rapid contraction and epithelialization after graft placement.
• No major complications occurred, while minor complications included infection (2 dogs) and swelling or discharge (10 dogs).
• Cosmetic and functional outcomes were excellent, with no lameness and partial to complete hair regrowth in all dogs.
• The omentum’s biological properties (angiogenic factors, stem cells, immunomodulation) likely contributed to improved wound healing and vascularization of the wound bed.
• Free OG may serve as an alternative to traditional grafting techniques, though prospective controlled studies are needed before routine recommendation.

🔍 Key Findings

• First reported case of total cystectomy and bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy in a cat using a modified Toyoda technique.
• Histologically complete tumor resection was achieved, with tumor-free ureter and urethral margins >20 mm.
• The modified Toyoda technique involved shaping the ureter into a fish-mouth aperture and anastomosing it to a rectangular skin defect for stomal formation.
• Incontinence was managed using a diaper changed every 6–8 hours, with no dermatological complications.
• Obstruction of the right ureter occurred 14 months post-op, associated with a subcutaneous nodule at the anastomosis site.
• Despite incontinence, owner satisfaction and perceived quality of life were high, with the cat living ~16 months post-op.
• The stents were removed on days 7 (left) and 28 (right) postoperatively, with initial patency maintained until 14 months.
• This surgical approach may offer palliative or curative benefit for feline trigonal TCC where partial cystectomy is not feasible.

🔍 Key Findings

• TGMO was common despite absence of overt lameness, with 18/34 dogs showing abnormal clinical examination findings.
• Ultrasonographic abnormalities were highly prevalent, with only 5/34 dogs classified as bilaterally normal and 29/34 showing mild or moderate lesions.
• Only four dogs had normal clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic findings, supporting a high prevalence of subclinical pathology.
• Pain on palpation over the fabella was considered the most clinically meaningful indicator of TGMO, whereas imaging abnormalities alone did not reliably indicate clinical disease.
• Gait analysis was sensitive but nonspecific, with asymmetry detected in 17 dogs, including some with otherwise normal findings.
• Radiographic mineralization or enthesiophytes were identified in 7/34 dogs (~20%), indicating chronic tendon pathology but not necessarily clinical symptoms.
• Moderate ultrasonographic lesions were present in 10 dogs, often associated with irregular supracondylar bone contours and occasionally pain or gait abnormalities.
• TGMO appears substantially underrecognized in agility Border Collies, supporting routine clinical and imaging assessment when hindlimb performance issues occur.

🔍 Key Findings

• Prophylactic fenestration (PF) significantly reduced recurrence of cervical intervertebral disc extrusion (0% vs. 37.8%, p < .001).
• Surgery time was longer with PF (median 182 vs. 110 min, p = .017), but no difference in perioperative complication rates (PF 16.7%, non-PF 18.9%; p = .838).
• 25% overall recurrence rate, but all recurrences occurred in the non-PF group.
• Medical management was effective in 92.9% of recurrence cases.
• Most PF sites targeted adjacent discs; 88.9% were at adjacent levels, which are common recurrence sites.
• Neurologic outcomes were similar between PF and non-PF dogs post-surgery and at follow-up.
• Fenestration technique (blade vs. burr) not shown to affect outcome but contributed to extended surgical time.
• No major complications or deaths linked directly to PF in initial surgeries.

🔍 Key Findings

140 laparoscopic surgeons surveyed; 37% reported at least one musculoskeletal disorder.
Women had significantly higher odds of reporting WRMD (OR = 2.59, p = .011).
Smaller glove size significantly associated with WRMD (p = .001), shoulder tendonitis (p = .01), and neck strain (p = .001).
Most common injuries: Neck strain (35%), shoulder tendonitis (31%).
WRMD was associated with greater difficulty using:

• Rotating cup biopsy forceps (p < .001)
• Vessel sealing device and endo stapler (especially in those with shoulder injuries)

No significant association with surgeon age, dominant hand, height, weight, or case volume.

🔍 Key Findings

• Objective: To evaluate outcomes and complications of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for idiopathic chylothorax in 15 cats.
• All 15 cats underwent thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation (TDL); 13 also had simultaneous pericardectomy, 2 had VATS TDL + laparoscopic cisterna chyli ablation (CCA), and 1 cat had an open CCA.
• Median surgical time was 152.5 minutes (range 60–255).
• Contrast was used intraoperatively in 13 cats; 11 received methylene blue, and 2 received indocyanine green (ICG).
• One intraoperative complication (6%) occurred — a minor intercostal artery laceration. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 3 cases (20%) due to visualization issues or bleeding.
• Postoperative complications occurred in 8 cats (53%), with persistent pleural effusion in 5 cats (33%) being the most common.
• Mortality was high: 4 cats (27%) died or were euthanized before discharge. Only 7 of 11 cats discharged had resolution of effusion, and recurrence occurred in 1.
• Authors concluded that while VATS is technically feasible in cats, it did not improve clinical outcomes compared to open surgery, and feline idiopathic chylothorax continues to have a high mortality rate.

🔍 Key Findings

• Major complications occurred in 25.6% of limbs treated with PAUL, including non-union, implant failure, and infection requiring revision surgery.
• Increased body weight was significantly associated with a higher risk of complications (7% increased risk per additional kg; p = .04).
• Post-operative radiographic assessment was unreliable in predicting complications; inter-observer agreement was poor (kappa ≤ 0.12).
• Expert evaluation of implant or reduction errors had low predictive value (k < 0.2) for postoperative complications.
• Common major complications included non-union (6 limbs), screw breakage, and surgical site infections.
• Implant removal was required in 11.5% of limbs, mostly due to non-union or infection.
• Being a Labrador appeared protective on univariate analysis, but not on multivariate analysis after adjusting for weight.
• Radiographs showing suboptimal plate placement or osteotomy reduction did not reliably correlate with actual complication occurrence.

🔍 Key Findings

• LVSG was feasible in 9/10 feline cadavers with successful stapled gastrectomy and minimal technical complications.
• Stenosis at the incisura angularis occurred in 2/10 cadavers, associated with staple placement too close to the lesser curvature.
• Leak testing was negative in 8 cadavers and both live cats, indicating effective staple sealing.
• Mean stomach resection was ~28%, though less than human standards (~75–80%) for metabolic effects.
• Surgery was performed safely in two live feline subjects, with no intraoperative or postoperative complications over a 6-month follow-up.
• Technique refinements included orogastric tube placement and custom 3D-printed cannulas to improve staple line accuracy and avoid stenosis.
• Tri-Staple purple cartridges provided graduated compression suited for feline gastric tissue thickness (~2.5 mm).
• No need for staple line oversew in live cats; staple-only closure proved safe in this short-term study.

🔍 Key Findings

• Minimally invasive fluoroscopic technique yielded median reduction of 94.1% immediately postoperative.
• Screw purchase ≥60% in sacral body achieved in 82% of cases, with median purchase of 73.3%.
• One screw exited caudally; no dorsal, ventral, or cranial exits reported.
• At 7-week follow-up, reduction and purchase slightly declined but remained effective (p = .008 and p = .013).
• No screw loosening observed, even in suboptimal reductions or purchases.
• Pelvic canal width and symmetry (PCDR and HCWR) were restored and maintained.
• Excellent long-term function: FMPI ≥0.98 in 9 of 10 cats; owners reported 10/10 satisfaction.
• Fluoroscopy enabled accurate screw placement and minimized tissue trauma, contributing to rapid recovery.