
Your Custom Quiz
In Williams 2024 et al., on cardiovascular safety, what perioperative effect was observed with adrenaline in the nerve block?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded controlled trial
- Population: 32 brachycephalic dogs undergoing cut-and-sew sharp staphylectomy
- Groups: Adrenaline + lidocaine (Group A) vs. Lidocaine only (Group NA)
- Main Findings:
- Total hemorrhage significantly lower in Group A (median 1.82 g) vs Group NA (7.95 g); p = .013
- Normalized hemorrhage significantly lower in Group A; p = .021
- Surgeon-assigned hemorrhage scores significantly lower in Group A; p = .029
- No adverse effects (tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia, etc.) noted from adrenaline use
- Breed effect: English Bulldogs bled more overall even after normalization
- Clinical Implication: Adrenaline in nerve blocks reduces hemorrhage without added risk
Veterinary Surgery
1
2024
Evaluation of the addition of adrenaline in a bilateral maxillary nerve block to reduce hemorrhage in dogs undergoing sharp staphylectomy for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. A prospective, randomized study
2024-1-VS-williams-3
In Glenn 2024 et al., on client-based SSI surveillance, what percentage of SSIs required revision surgery?
🔍 Key Findings
- Algorithm 3 had the highest overall accuracy (95.5%) in diagnosing SSIs from client questionnaires.
- Active surveillance identified 19.4% more SSIs compared to passive surveillance alone.
- SSI rate was 8.22% across 754 surgeries; 33.9% of SSIs required revision surgery.
- Client-based responses were 37.9% more frequent than those from referring veterinarians.
- Deep/implant SSIs could be missed if not associated with visible wound healing problems.
- Two late SSIs (after 90 days) occurred, both linked to implant surgeries.
- Algorithm 1 was the most sensitive (87.1%) but less specific; useful for screening.
- Algorithm 2 had the highest specificity (97.9%); useful as a “rule-in” diagnostic method.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2024
Evaluation of a client questionnaire at diagnosing surgical site infections in an active surveillance system
2024-8-VS-glenn-4
In Jones 2024 et al., on LEAP plate use, what was the most common type of complication reported postoperatively?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- 62 fractures in 61 dogs (44 lateral condylar, 18 intracondylar); mostly Spaniels
- LEAP plate used in all cases; minimal intraoperative contouring needed (1 French Bulldog)
- Overall complication rate: ~33%, mostly minor; 1 amputation due to catastrophic infection
- Radiographic healing:
- Lateral epicondylar part healed in 100%
- Condylar part healed in ~61.5% LCF and ~57.1% ICF
- Functional outcomes:
- 87% returned to full limb use
- Median LOAD score: 2 for LCF, 6.5 for ICF
- Design adjustments made post-study to strengthen weak zones around 3rd–4th screw holes
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Clinical Assessment of a Lateral Epicondylar Anatomical Plate for the Stabilization of Humeral Condylar Fractures in Dogs
2024-4-VS-jones-2
In Low 2025 et al., on machine-learning outcomes in IVDE, what was the most important predictor of outcome according to SHAP value analysis?
🔍 Key Findings
The study included 162 deep-pain-negative dogs undergoing decompressive surgery (hemilaminectomy) for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE).
Ambulatory recovery occurred in 53.1% of dogs (86/162).
The best performing machine-learning model was XGBoost, with an AUC of 0.9502 and accuracy of 89.1%, outperforming Ridge, AdaBoost, and Naive Bayes models.
Preoperative-only XGBoost models were less accurate, with AUC dropping to 0.8271 and accuracy to 71.9%.
Top predictive features (by SHAP analysis) included:
- T2-weighted to L2 spinal cord signal ratio (lower values predicted better outcome)
- Use of fenestration (presence associated with better recovery)
- Hospitalization duration
- Imaging modality used
- Duration of nonambulatory status
Machine learning provided better insight into prognostic factors than traditional statistical methods.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2025
Machine-learning-based prediction of functional recovery in deep-pain-negative dogs after decompressive thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy for acute intervertebral disc extrusion
2025-4-VS-low-3
In Von Pfeil 2024 et al., on acute ulnar shortening in dogs, which postoperative complication was reported in the study?
🔍 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-5
In Enright 2022 et al., on adrenalectomy outcomes, what percentage of dogs survived to hospital discharge?
🔍 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-1
In Chitty 2025 et al., on tibial fracture fixation in immature dogs, what was the most likely influence of increasing age on treatment selection?
🔍 Key Findings
Internal fixation (IF) group (n=59):
- Complication rate: 20.3%
- Major complications: 15.3%
- Longer time to discharge if complications occurred (median: 12.5 weeks)
External skeletal fixation (ESF) group (n=36):
- Complication rate: 55.6% (p < .001 vs IF)
- Major complications: 52.8%
- Most common issue: pin tract morbidity
Multivariable analysis:
- Use of IF significantly reduced odds of complications (OR 0.23, p = .004)
- Use of post-op antibiotics associated with increased odds of complications (OR 3.53, p = .028)
Fixation choice influenced by age:
- Older puppies more likely to receive IF (OR 1.25 per week increase in age, p < .001)
Breed & fracture distribution:
- Common breeds: Labrador, Border Collie, Whippet
- Common fracture sites: middle and proximal third of tibia
Veterinary Surgery
4
2025
Short‐term complications of internal versus external fixation of closed diaphyseal tibial fractures in 95 skeletally immature dogs
2025-4-VS-chitty-5
In Gant 2025 et al., on skin prep and SSI, what was the association between patient weight and SSI development?
🔍 Key Findings
- No statistically significant difference in overall SSI rates: 9.2% (chlorhexidine) vs. 7.38% (iodophor) (p = .25).
- Significant drape lift occurred in 13.2% of cases; those with lift had 2.72× increased risk of SSI (p = .026).
- Increased body weight was a statistically significant risk factor for SSI (p = .008): each 1 kg increased SSI risk by 3%.
- Use of glutaraldehyde was associated with a 2.38× increased risk of SSI (p = .055, approaching significance).
- No difference in SSI rates based on surgeon training level or surgical classification (clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated).
Veterinary Surgery
3
2025
Influence of skin preparation on surgical site infection and lift of adhesive surgical drapes
2025-3-VS-gant-3
In Mayhew 2023 et al., on BOAS surgery effects, which surgical procedures were consistently performed in all dogs in the study?
🔍 Key Findings
- Owner-reported regurgitation improved after CMS, especially post-eating and during activity (P = .012 and P = .002)
- No significant improvement in VFSS measures of SHH or GER postoperatively (P > .05 for all comparisons)
- Laryngeal ventriculectomy and soft palate resection were performed in all dogs, alaplasty in 14/16
- Aspiration pneumonia occurred in 1 dog immediately post-op and resolved with treatment
- Post-op esophagoscopy results varied, with persistent esophagitis in some cases
- Clinical response was variable, with ~25–30% of dogs being “non-responders” based on owner scoring
- 13/16 dogs showed partial or full clinical improvement, despite no change in objective SHH/GER indicators
- Final follow-up at median 36.5 months showed some dogs still on medical therapy; one underwent further surgery
Veterinary Surgery
2
2023
Effect of conventional multilevel brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome surgery on clinical and videofluoroscopic evidence of hiatal herniation and gastroesophageal reflux in dogs
2023-2-VS-mayhew-4
In Stoneburner 2024 et al., on MIS survey results, what proportion of responding surgeons had performed basic laparoscopy in the previous year?
🔍 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.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in small animal surgery: A 2020 survey of small animal surgical diplomates and residents
2024-5-VS-stoneburner-1
Quiz Results
You answered 7 out of 10 questions correctly
Key Findings
