🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• Surgeons with smaller glove sizes experienced more difficulty using laparoscopic instruments, especially endoscopic staplers, cup biopsy forceps, and vessel sealing devices.
• Endoscopic stapler was rated the most difficult instrument, with a median difficulty score of 4/10 and 25% usage difficulty.
• Female surgeons reported significantly more difficulty with several instruments due to smaller glove size.
• Reusable instruments were preferred over disposable ones for all tasks.
• Pistol grips were preferred for grasping/retracting and fine dissection, while axial grips were preferred for suturing/knot tying.
• Articulating handles were consistently associated with increased reported difficulty, especially with scissors and cup biopsy forceps.
• Left-handed surgeons had more difficulty operating endoscopic staplers, suggesting limited design inclusivity.
• Surgeons in academic settings reported more difficulty with laparoscopic maneuvers than those in private practice.

🔍 Key Findings

Population: 9 dogs underwent revision of osteointegrated acetabular cups after total hip arthroplasty (THA)

Revision Indications:

• 7 luxations (5 ventral, 2 craniodorsal)
• 1 femoral stem fracture
• 1 aseptic stem loosening

Implants:

• 8 BFX cups, 1 Helica; all revised to BFX
• 7/9 required a larger cup than original

Cup removal: Required sectioning with a high-speed burr and modular osteotome; removal fragments extracted

Complications:

• 1 recurrent luxation
• 1 low-grade infection with possible metallic debris-associated osteolysis
• 2 femoral fissures managed intraoperatively

Outcomes:

• Good to excellent function in 6/6 dogs available at median 621 days
• Minimal complications with success in re-osteointegration of new cup

Clinical takeaway: Revision of stable, ingrown cups is feasible and offers an alternative to pelvic osteotomies; typically requires upsizing

🔍 Key Findings

Case 1: Chest wall lift improved oxygenation (PaO₂ increased from 179.4 to 306.3 mmHg) and enabled thoracoscopic-assisted lobectomy in a cat with pleural effusion and pulmonary carcinoma.
Case 2: Chest wall lift using a Steinmann pin allowed 3-port thoracoscopic lobectomy for a bronchial foreign body; no complications observed.
Both cats: Lift increased working space and eliminated need for thoracotomy; no device-related complications.
Pretied ligating loops (PLL) were effective for hilar vessel ligation—preferred over staplers or self-locking ligatures in feline thorax.
Conclusion: Thoracic lift is a novel, minimally invasive method enhancing thoracoscopic procedures in small patients, particularly cats.

🔍 Key Findings

Source: Bush et al., 2023, Veterinary Surgery

• Median survival time (MST) after surgery was 1886 days, which is significantly longer than previously reported.
• Lymph node metastasis at surgery was a negative prognostic factor, reducing MST to 248 days (vs. 2340 days without nodal involvement).
• Local recurrence occurred in 42% of dogs, with a median disease-free interval (DFI) of 191 days.
• Metastatic disease occurred in 32% of dogs, most commonly to the lungs, with a median DFI of 299 days.
• Histologic features (e.g., margin status, capsular, lymphatic, or vascular invasion) were not significantly correlated with recurrence or metastasis.
• Facial nerve injury occurred in 9.7% perioperatively, especially after parotidectomy; intraoperative facial nerve transection led to long-term deficits.
• Adjuvant therapies (chemotherapy, radiation, NSAIDs) did not significantly affect survival time.
• Incisional biopsy was only 38% concordant with final excisional histology, suggesting limited reliability for definitive diagnosis.

🔍 Key Findings

• CBLO fixation with both a headless compression screw (HCS) and tension band (TB) showed the highest yield and ultimate loads compared to other configurations
• HCSTB constructs had significantly higher yield load (1212 N) and ultimate load (1388 N) than Plate alone (788 N, 774 N), HCS alone (907 N, 927 N), or TB alone (1016 N, 1076 N)
• No difference in construct stiffness was detected among the four fixation methods tested
• All constructs ultimately failed by bone fracture—location of failure differed by construct type (e.g., through HCS hole or cranial screw hole)
• TB and HCSTB groups showed failure via progressive TB stretching and cranial osteotomy widening, while Plate and HCS failed more abruptly
• All constructs withstood forces exceeding expected quadriceps load in vivo (170–325 N), suggesting all methods can resist physiological loading, but HCSTB provides greater safety margin
• HCS alone was not significantly stronger than Plate or TB alone, questioning its standalone superiority
• Study supports using TB and HCS together for optimal construct strength, but clinical studies are needed to validate implant fatigue, healing, and failure rates

🔍 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

80 toy breed dogs with surgically repaired transverse radius/ulna fractures were analyzed.
Fracture gap in the caudal cortex was present in 46% of cases.
Implant failure rate:

• 27% in cases with fracture gap
• 2% in cases without fracture gap

Fracture gap significantly associated with implant failure:

• OR = 23.0, 95% CI: 2.7–197.9, p = 0.004

Absence of external coaptation also associated with increased implant failure risk:

• OR = 10.1, 95% CI: 1.1–89.6, p = 0.04

Prolonged external coaptation (>1 week) linked to non-implant complications (skin wounds, osteopenia, osteomyelitis):

• OR = 5.4, p = 0.04

Plate thickness, type, open screw holes, and working length were not statistically significant predictors of implant failure after multivariable analysis.

🔍 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.

🔍 Key Findings

• Flexed MRI reduced IVD protrusion, foraminal stenosis, and VBLF significantly compared to neutral position.
• No dogs had persistent cauda equina compression or foraminal occlusion in the flexed position.
• Protrusion decreased by ~50% in flexion (PRCR and PACR reductions of 49.3% and 53.1%, respectively).
• Degree of IVD protrusion correlated with IVD degeneration but not spondylosis.
• Spondylosis did not limit flexion or affect decompression response.
• Complete vertebral canal occlusion resolved in all cases when LSJ was flexed.
• Indirect decompression via distraction may negate the need for laminectomy/discectomy, unless placing an IVD spacer.
• Findings question the routine use of decompressive surgery with distraction-stabilization in DLSS when good flexion is achieved.