🔍 Key Findings

• 63 dogs ≥15 kg with single EHPSS were reviewed.
• Most common breeds: Golden Retriever (28.6%), mixed breed (20.6%).
• Most common shunt types: splenocaval (25.4%) and portocaval (25.4%).
• 45 dogs received surgical attenuation; 18 were medically managed.
• 6.7% (3/45) of surgically treated dogs died due to shunt-related complications; 22.2% (4/18) of medically managed dogs died.
• Hypoplastic portal vein was noted in 52.9% of dogs where portal anatomy was described.
• 37.5% of surviving attenuated dogs were weaned off all medical management.
• Attenuated dogs had higher 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates (89%, 77%, 77%) than nonattenuated dogs (82%, 49%, 24%).

🔍 Key Findings

• Two short screws (SLS or SPS) provided >2× peak load, yield load, and stiffness vs a single long screw (LLS) for SI joint stabilization.
• No mechanical advantage was seen between the two short screw types (lag vs positional).
• All short screws terminated lateral to the spinal canal, avoiding spinal impingement.
• Ventral sacral foraminal impingement occurred in 3 short-screw cases (1 SPS, 2 SLS), all involving the caudal screw.
• LLS group showed more abaxial displacement at osteotomy sites, suggesting inferior stabilization for concurrent pelvic fractures.
• Short screw constructs had longer total screw length (48 mm) than LLS (40 mm), contributing to increased stiffness.
• Positioning of caudal screw in a cranial/craniodorsal trajectory may help avoid nerve foraminal injury.
• No significant difference in displacement at peak load among groups; stiffness and load capacity were the primary benefits.

🔍 Key Findings

• Ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred in 3% of pericardiectomy cases across reporting institutions.
• 14 of 16 dogs (88%) that developed intraoperative VF died, indicating high mortality.
• Electrosurgical devices were used in 15/16 dogs; VF onset coincided with their use in 8 dogs, suggesting a potential but unproven association.
• Preoperative arrhythmias were seen in 7 dogs (e.g., VPCs, VT, bradycardia), possibly serving as early warning signs.
• Thoracoscopic approach was used in 75% of cases; however, conversion to open surgery was required in 9/13 thoracoscopic procedures after VF onset.
• Defibrillation was attempted in 13 dogs, but only 3 converted to sinus rhythm, and only 2 survived postoperatively.
• VF may result from stray current or cardiac manipulation; bipolar energy devices were implicated despite lower theoretical risk.
• Preventative strategies include judicious electrosurgery use, close ECG monitoring, rapid CPR preparedness, and preop cardiac risk assessment.

🔍 Key Findings

• High union rate with low complications was achieved using the I-Loc angle-stable interlocking nail across 243 canine long-bone fractures.
• Mean time to clinical union was 8.3 weeks, faster than many historical plate-rod or non-angle-stable nail reports.
• Major complications occurred in only 5.3% and minor complications in 9.1% of cases.
• Most fractures were diaphyseal (75%) and comminuted (62%), demonstrating effectiveness in complex fracture patterns.
• Ancillary implants were uncommon (21%), mainly used in epi-/metaphyseal fractures or for anatomic reconstruction.
• Postoperative missed bolt rate was very low (0.94%), reflecting improved targeting accuracy.
• Open fractures carried a substantially higher risk of SSI and implant removal compared with closed fractures.
• Prebending of tibial nails was strongly recommended to follow natural recurvatum and avoid iatrogenic alignment errors.

🔍 Key Findings

• Quadriceps muscle length/femoral length ratio (QML/FL) was significantly lower in dogs with grade IV MPL than grades I–III (p ≤ .002).
• Shortened QML was associated with increased femoral torsion angle (FTA) and increased aLDFA, indicating correlation with femoral deformity.
• QML/FL increased with age, possibly due to muscular development or reduced deformity in older dogs (p = .004).
• Grade IV MPL dogs had QML/FL < 0.87, the lower normal limit based on healthy beagles, suggesting clinically significant muscle shortening.
• PLL/PL ratio (used to diagnose patella alta) was not associated with QML/FL or MPL severity in small breeds.
• QML/FL can help preoperatively identify candidates for femoral shortening ostectomy, improving femoropatellar alignment.
• Multivariate regression model confirmed QML/FL is independently influenced by age, FTA, and aLDFA (R² = 0.45).
• CT-based 3D measurements enabled objective, noninvasive quantification of femoral and muscle alignment parameters.

🔍 Key Findings

Increased risk with gonadectomy:

• Pooled OR for CrCLD:
  • Females: 2.29 (95% CI: 1.77–2.95)
  • Males: 2.12 (95% CI: 1.67–2.69)

Early gonadectomy (≤1 year) further increased risk:

• OR vs >1 year:
  • Females: 3.39
  • Males: 3.13

Late gonadectomy (>1 year) had no significant difference vs intact dogs.

Breed-specific findings:

• Female Labradors: No increased CrCLD risk from gonadectomy (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.54–2.64)
• Male Labradors: Increased risk persisted (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.53–2.98)

Study type: Systematic review + meta-analysis of 24 observational studies (n = 1.85 million dogs)

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• HIF typically originates 57° caudal to the supratrochlear foramen and propagates cranially in a segmental pattern.
• %HIF correlated significantly with both fissure depth and length:
  • %DHIF increased linearly (r = 0.989, p < 0.001)
  • %LHIF followed a sigmoidal relationship with %HIF (p < 0.001)
• Higher %HIF was significantly associated with:
  • Clinical lameness (p = 0.004)
  • Distal shift in the fissure center (CHIF)
• Implant complications in 5/17 elbows treated with transcondylar screws
• Isthmus diameter increased with weight (p = 0.002), relevant for screw sizing

🔍 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

• Supracutaneous locking plates (SLPs) were successfully used to manage 33 diaphyseal fractures (radial–ulnar and tibial) in 30 cats and dogs.
• Median fracture healing time was 50.5 days (range: 27–88), with most patients regaining limb use within days postoperatively.
• CT-based metrics (callus area, HU, and 3D bone volume) increased significantly during healing (p < 0.05), validating CT as a quantitative tool for assessing healing.
• Complications were minimal: minor in 15/33 (e.g., screw tract discharge, edema), and major in 3/33 (e.g., implant failure, delayed union, nonunion).
• Minimally invasive osteosynthesis required longer surgery times than closed reduction (p < 0.05), but both techniques were viable.
• SLPs enabled successful bilateral fracture management without inter-plate interference due to their compact design.
• Screw orientation challenges were noted in cats, especially with cranial application to the radius due to narrow anatomy.
• Polyaxial locking screws were used safely and did not dislodge, allowing for angular insertion (≤10°) to avoid neurovascular structures.