🔍 Key Findings

• Precontoured plates based on 3D-printed femurs produced accurate femoral alignment (median deviations <3 mm or <3° in all planes).
• Both fracture reduction system (FRS) and intramedullary pin (IMP) methods achieved near-anatomic alignment in cadaveric femoral fractures.
• FRS required fewer fluoroscopic images (median 7 vs. 26, P = .001), but longer surgical time (median 43 vs. 29 min, P = .011).
• Sagittal plane alignment: FRS led to mild increased recurvatum (median 2.9°), but still within near-anatomic limits (<5°).
• Axial alignment: Both groups achieved near-anatomic torsion (<10°), though one IMP case had acceptable (not near-anatomic) alignment.
• Custom drill guides and FRS improved fluoroscopy efficiency but were cumbersome and time-consuming to use. Authors do not recommend current prototype for clinical use.
• Clinical significance: 3D printed models allow accurate precontouring, reducing intra-op plate adjustment; custom guides may reduce radiation exposure for the surgical team.

🔍 Key Findings

• Fasting ammonia (FA) was the most specific test (100%) for confirming EHPSS closure postoperatively.
• Serum hyaluronic acid (SHA) and MEGX at 15 minutes post-lidocaine were the most sensitive tests (96.9% and 96.2%, respectively).
• SHA combined with MEGX T15, or with FA or postprandial serum bile acids (SBA), provided 100% sensitivity with good specificity (72.4–82.8%).
• SHA levels remained elevated in all dogs with persistent shunting, even when other tests were normal.
• Paired SBA had moderate sensitivity (90%) and variable specificity (89%).
• The L/MEGX test at 30 min was less useful than at 15 min for assessing closure.
• Traditional SBA testing showed reduced utility postoperatively; normal values did not rule out persistent shunting.
• Blood tests improved when combined, but imaging remains essential to definitively confirm EHPSS closure.

🔍 Key Findings

• The lateral caudal axial pattern flap was successfully used to reconstruct caudodorsal trunk defects in cats, most commonly following tumor excision (85.7%).
• Mean flap length was 61.3% of tail length, aligning with canine recommendations of ~60–78% to reduce distal necrosis risk.
• Postoperative complications occurred in 50% of cats, although many experienced more than one minor complication.
• Most common complications were partial flap dehiscence, seroma, and edema (each 14.2%).
• Uncomplicated healing occurred in 57.1% of cats, while the remaining 42.8% had only minor complications not requiring surgical revision.
• No cats required revision surgery for complications, indicating acceptable clinical outcomes despite the moderate complication rate.
• Seromas resolved spontaneously despite the routine use of active drains, suggesting they may be a relatively common but minor complication.
• Local tumor control was achieved in 83.3% of cats undergoing tumor excision, with a median follow-up of 135 days.

🔍 Key Findings

• Electroceutical dressing (PED) promoted complete healing of chronic wounds in both a dog and a cat previously unresponsive to standard therapies.
• Infection clearance occurred in both animals by the end of PED therapy, as shown by negative culture results.
• In the dog, wound area reduced by ~4.2× over 10 days; healing completed by day 67 with no further antibiotic therapy.
• In the cat, wound area reduced by ~2.5× over 17 days; healing completed by day 47 without systemic antibiotics.
• PEDs function via direct current (DC) stimulation, believed to generate hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with antibacterial properties.
• No side effects or adverse tissue reactions were observed in either case, supporting biocompatibility.
• Multidrug-resistant organisms (e.g., S. pseudintermedius, S. canis, S. epidermidis) were eradicated by PED treatment.
• PED therapy may reduce reliance on antibiotics and surgery, offering a novel adjunct for chronic, infected wounds.

🔍 Key Findings

40 dogs underwent splenectomy using 16 bipolar vessel sealing devices (VSDs)
Devices were reused up to 4 times after handwashing and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization
Biologic debris was found in 100% of devices, specifically under the transection blade, even after a single use

• Mostly scant (14/16) or mild (2/16) debris

No devices or debris yielded positive aerobic culture after EtO sterilization
EtO sterilization proved microbiologically effective despite visible residue
Perioperative failure rate: 1 device (malfunctioned during first activation)

🔍 Key Findings

• Medial meniscus injury (MMI) occurred in 36.3% of stifles with CrCLR in toy breed dogs (<5 kg)
• Complete CrCLR was significantly associated with MMI (15.3% of complete vs. 3.4% of partial)
• Severe lameness (grade 3) increased the likelihood of MMI compared to mild lameness (grade 1)
• Higher body weight, even within the toy breed range, was positively associated with MMI
• Yorkshire Terriers had the highest MMI incidence (55.6%), but this was not a significant independent factor due to multicollinearity
• Arthroscopy identified more meniscal damage (including small radial tears and bucket-handle lesions) than gross examination might detect
• MMI was classified as mild (radial tear) or severe (bucket-handle or flap) with implications for partial meniscectomy
• Arthroscopy was used in all cases, underscoring its utility in small-breed stifle assessment

🔍 Key Findings

• Objective: Evaluate feasibility and accuracy of 3D-printed patient-specific drill guides for iliosacral screw placement in cadaver dogs.
• N = 10 canine cadavers (20 hemipelves); screw placement done using fluoroscopic-assisted patient-specific guides (PSG).
• Median cortical breach grade: 0 (IQR 0–1) for all screws.
  19/20 screws breached sacral canal wall (all ≤ grade 2), but no screws breached canal contents (grade 3).
• Median trajectory deviation: 0.88° transverse, 0.72° dorsal.
• Procedure time: Median 7.2 minutes for guide placement and drilling.
• Conclusions: PSG-assisted screw placement was safe, accurate, and fast, offering clinical potential in pelvic trauma.

🔍 Key Findings

• Fasting ammonia (FA) was the most specific test (100%) for confirming EHPSS closure postoperatively.
• Serum hyaluronic acid (SHA) and MEGX at 15 minutes post-lidocaine were the most sensitive tests (96.9% and 96.2%, respectively).
• SHA combined with MEGX T15, or with FA or postprandial serum bile acids (SBA), provided 100% sensitivity with good specificity (72.4–82.8%).
• SHA levels remained elevated in all dogs with persistent shunting, even when other tests were normal.
• Paired SBA had moderate sensitivity (90%) and variable specificity (89%).
• The L/MEGX test at 30 min was less useful than at 15 min for assessing closure.
• Traditional SBA testing showed reduced utility postoperatively; normal values did not rule out persistent shunting.
• Blood tests improved when combined, but imaging remains essential to definitively confirm EHPSS closure.

🔍 Key Findings

• Delayed union occurred in 13.9% of fractures; non-union in 4.6%; mal-union in 0.7%
• Major implant failure increased odds of delayed or non-union by 12.9×
• Surgical site infection increased risk 3.2×; bone grafting (any type) was also associated (OR 3.3)
• Comminuted fractures had 4.2× greater odds of delayed or non-union
• Older age increased risk, with odds increasing by 21% per year
• Radius and ulna fractures in toy breeds were not high risk, contrary to historical belief
• Most non-unions required revision surgery with rhBMP-2 or autograft to achieve union
• Ilium fractures showed 0% delayed/non-union — possibly due to robust muscle envelope

🔍 Key Findings

• Overall survival to discharge: 107 of 132 dogs (81%)
• Quartile improvement: Survival increased steadily from 67% in Q1 to 91% in Q4
  • Q1: 22/33 survived
  • Q2: 27/33
  • Q3: 28/33
  • Q4: 30/33
• Statistical significance: Higher operative rank significantly associated with improved survival (p < .05)
• Median cross clamp time (XCT): 73 min (range 40–165), but increased again in Q4
• Fatalities (n=25) were often due to:
  • Failure to wean from CPB
  • Intracranial vascular events (stroke)
  • Intrathoracic hemorrhage
• Breed representation: CKCS (23.5%), Chihuahua (22%), Crossbreeds (21%)
• Stages of MMVD: Stage C (67%), Stage D (27%), Stage B2 (6%)
• Emphasis on deliberate multidisciplinary teamwork for outcome improvement
• Highlights importance of technical and non-technical team skills, procedural standardization, and consistent personnel