🔍 Key Findings

• The study was a prospective clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed, patient-specific reduction system for aligning diaphyseal tibial fractures stabilized using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in fifteen client-owned dogs.
• Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and fabrication were feasible within a clinically relevant timeframe, with a mean of 50.7 hours. Surgical efficiency improved with experience.
• Pin-guide placement was accurate, with median translational discrepancies of 2.7 mm (proximal) and 2.9 mm (distal), and angular discrepancies highest in the axial plane.
• The proximal guide was easier to apply (median Likert score: 8) than the distal guide (median: 6).
• The 3D-printed system enabled near-anatomic reduction in 87% of cases and acceptable reduction in the remaining 13%; no unacceptable reductions occurred.
• Postoperative alignment and tibial length were well-restored, with all dogs within 5° or 5 mm of contralateral measurements.
• Temporary circular fixation was occasionally used to assist reduction and improve alignment.
• Precontoured plates fit easily, with a median Likert score of 9; total surgical time was shorter than conventional MIPO at the institution.
• The study lacked a control group but builds on prior cadaveric feasibility work.

🔍 Key Findings

Study population: 21 dogs with portocaval extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS)
Surgical approach: 67% (14/21) underwent ameroid constrictor placement
Perioperative complications: 4 dogs (19%), including seizures (n = 2), vomiting, and abdominal effusion
Perioperative mortality: 1 dog (5%)
Postoperative clinical outcome:

• Good to excellent outcome: 81% (17/21)
• Median follow-up: 6 months (range 3–43)

Persistence of shunting (CT or US): 56% (9/16 evaluated)
Dogs with persistent shunting: 67% still had good to excellent clinical outcome
Congenital portocaval shunts may have more favorable outcomes than previously reported

🔍 Key Findings Summary

• 86 elbows assessed: 32 Guide Dogs, 11 Border Collies
• Guide Dogs showed significantly higher HU values in:
  • MCP: min (p = 0.022), mean (p < 0.01), max (p < 0.01)
  • Humeral trochlea: mean (p < 0.01), max (p < 0.01)
• Results imply breed-associated HU variation, not necessarily pathologic sclerosis
• Relevance: Important to avoid false positives for elbow dysplasia during CT-based breeding screens
• Good interobserver agreement for mean HU values (ICC ~0.82–0.90)

🔍 Key Findings

• Patient-specific 3D-printed PCL/β-TCP scaffold enabled successful zygomatic arch reconstruction in a dog.
• Complete surgical resection of a zygomatic parosteal osteosarcoma was achieved, with a 0.3 mm histologically clean margin.
• Post-op imaging showed progressive tissue ingrowth into the scaffold, with Hounsfield Units increasing from 20.4 to 97.8 over 10 months.
• No complications (e.g., infection, displacement) or tumor recurrence were noted at 16-month follow-up.
• Use of a patient-specific osteotomy guide improved anatomical fit and facilitated precise excision and implant placement.
• Facial symmetry and orbital stability were maintained throughout follow-up.
• The scaffold remained structurally stable despite limited bone regeneration, suggesting connective tissue filled the defect.
• Topical mitomycin C was applied intraoperatively for possible anti-neoplastic effect, but efficacy remains unclear.

🔍 Key Findings

Incidence of BFX lateral bolt stem breakage: 2.95% (13 dogs, 14 stems)

Implant factors:

• 13/14 were BFX lateral bolt stems (sizes #5–7)
• +9 necks used in 5/11 of 17 mm heads
• 10/14 stems undersized based on radiographs
• 10/13 dogs exceeded weight limits for implanted stem size

Malalignment:

• 10/14 had varus alignment (median 3.9°)
• 8/14 had insufficient proximodistal seating

Breakage site: Proximolateral shoulder in all cases

Revision outcomes:

• 11 revised (7 CFX, 3 larger BFX, 1 collared)
• 9/10 revised dogs regained full function
• Complications: 1 rebreakage, 1 periprosthetic fracture, 1 fixation failure

Histopathology:

• Electron microscopy showed fatigue striations and incomplete bead fusion

Conclusion: Avoid small BFX lateral bolt stems if undersized or if long necks required; use weight guidelines to prevent fatigue failure.

🔍 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

• PRUDA (proximal radio-ulnar divergence angle) and UCORA (ulnar center of rotation of angulation) were significantly greater in Cocker Spaniels with HIF vs those without.
• PRUDA (p < .001): Group 1 (HIF) vs Group 2 & 3.
• UCORA (p = .036): Group 1 vs Group 3.
• Other angles (MPRA, LDRA, PCRA, DCRA, torsion) showed no significant differences.
• Increased PRUDA and UCORA may lead to divergent load vectors across the humeral condyle, potentially predisposing to stress fracture (HIF).
• Measurement techniques using CT-based 3D reconstructions were reliable (intraobserver ICC > 0.84).

🔍 Key Findings

• Modified subdural shunt (SDS) placement was adapted from prior techniques using a hemilaminectomy approach and no suturing of the dura or shunt.
• Dogs receiving SDS had significantly better long-term outcomes (85.7% improved) compared to those with durotomy alone (41.7%).
• Recurrence rate was lower in the SDS group (14.3%) than control (41.7%), though not statistically significant.
• Most recurrences occurred in Pugs (5/7), suggesting a breed predisposition.
• Shunt size was limited to 25% of spinal cord diameter, typically 3–3.5 Fr.
• CSF flow through the shunt was confirmed intraoperatively, supporting the role of SDS in maintaining flow and possibly preventing recurrence.
• Immediate postoperative outcomes were not different between groups (≈42% deteriorated), but long-term recovery was better with SDS.
• Steroid use pre-surgery did not correlate with improved outcome; fewer SDS dogs received steroids pre-op.

🔍 Key Findings

• Left fourth intercostal thoracotomy allowed successful thoracic duct (TD) ligation in 9/10 canine cadavers.
• 10/13 clinical cases had a single TD branch at the left fourth intercostal space, indicating lower anatomical complexity.
• All TD branches at this site were lateral to the esophagus, simplifying surgical access.
• Unilateral subphrenic pericardiectomy was successfully performed via the same incision in 10/10 cadavers.
• Fewer TD branches at the fourth intercostal space than traditional caudal sites may reduce the risk of missed collaterals.
• In contrast, traditional caudal TD ligation sites had up to 5 branches, requiring broader dissection.
• No cadaver had right-sided TD branches, reducing surgical complexity at the studied location.
• Contrast-confirmed ligation was effective in 90% (9/10) cadavers on CT imaging.