Quiz Question
In Peterson 2022 et al., on crescent guide in TPLO, what was the primary benefit observed in novice surgeons using the crescent guide over other devices?
🔍 Key Findings
- Crescent guide use resulted in significantly less medial cortical damage (mean 3.8 mm²) than the radial saw guide (35.7 mm²) and standard jig (51.3 mm²) in bone models.
- No significant difference in osteotomy accuracy (distance of eccentricity, coronal or axial angulation) among crescent guide, radial guide, or standard jig in either bone models or cadavers.
- Device application time was shortest with the crescent guide and longest for the radial saw guide.
- Osteotomy time was fastest with the crescent guide compared to the radial saw guide (P = .015).
- Participants rated the crescent guide easier to apply than both the radial saw guide (P < .005) and the standard jig (P = .015).
- 5 of 6 novice participants preferred the crescent guide over the other devices for performing TPLO.
- Subjective ease of osteotomy performance was higher with the crescent guide vs. radial guide (P < .001).
- Crescent guide does not assist in fragment stabilization or plateau rotation unlike a standard TPLO jig.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2022
Evaluation of a crescent saw guide for tibial plateau‐leveling osteotomy: An ex vivo study
2022-3-VS-peterson-1
In O'Marra 2026 et al., on perioperative septic peritonitis, what was the most commonly reported cause of recurrent septic peritonitis in dogs?
🔍 Key Findings
- Early enteral nutrition (<24–48 hrs) is associated with improved survival and reduced hospitalization in dogs with septic peritonitis.
- Appropriate empirical antimicrobials improve survival in cats, but data are mixed in dogs.
- Recurrent septic peritonitis (RecSP) has poor survival (0%–43.9%); most common cause is gastrointestinal dehiscence.
- Intraoperative hypotension and preoperative hypoalbuminemia may increase dehiscence risk, though findings are inconsistent.
- Lidocaine CRI during surgery improves survival over opioids alone in dogs.
- Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is not recommended due to risks of coagulopathy and kidney injury; albumin use is controversial.
- Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is under-recognized but contributes to mortality; IAP monitoring should be considered.
- Diagnostic tests (effusion lactate, glucose, cytology) are unreliable for detecting RecSP; clinical judgment and ultrasound are advised.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2026
Perioperative management of septic peritonitis in small animals: A review
2026-1-VS-omarra-3
In Sunlight 2022 et al., on Protein C monitoring, what was the most common reason for requiring a second PTCE procedure?
🔍 Key Findings
- Postoperative Protein C (PC) activity increased in 78.7% of dogs, and was significantly higher in dogs with excellent clinical outcomes.
- Complete acute shunt occlusion resulted in higher postoperative PC activity (96.3%) and better ultimate clinical outcomes than incomplete occlusion.
- Preoperative PC was not predictive of clinical status, but postoperative PC was associated with improved outcomes.
- Standard biochemical markers (HCT, MCV, ALB, BUN) also improved postoperatively, especially in dogs with excellent clinical outcomes.
- Dogs requiring a second procedure had significantly lower postoperative PC (43.5%) than those not requiring further intervention (78.5%).
- Repeat procedures improved PC and BUN values, with PC increasing significantly after second intervention (to 69.8%).
- PC normalization (within reference interval) occurred in 87.5% of dogs with excellent clinical status, compared to only 12.5% in those with poor status.
- Clinical outcome classification (excellent/fair/poor) correlated with biochemical normalization and lack of need for diet/medications.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2022
Protein C and comparative biochemical changes in dogs treated with percutaneous transvenous coil embolization of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts
2022-1-VS-sunlight-4
In Latifi 2022 et al., on forelimb fascial mapping, which statement is TRUE regarding nerve transection during tumor resection?
🔍 Key Findings
- Fascia was present over most of the canine forelimb, but key areas like the elbow, carpus, and manus lacked robust fascial planes for wide resection.
- Type I fascia (discrete sheet) was primarily found in the antebrachium, with type IV (periosteal) fascia located at the olecranon, scapular spine, and accessory carpal bone.
- Distal antebrachial fascia was thin and adherent, often blending with carpal structures and lacking reliable surgical planes.
- Partial tenectomy or joint capsule resection was often required for wide excision in the distal limb, especially over the triceps tendon and carpus.
- Nerve transections (e.g., superficial radial or ulnar branches) were commonly needed to maintain fascial margins, though often with minimal functional loss due to overlapping innervation.
- Digital and metacarpal pads lacked clear deep fascial borders, making digit amputation necessary for oncologic margins in distal tumors.
- Dissections revealed fascial junctions as either Type A (easily separable) or Type B (risk of disruption), guiding resection plane selection.
- Findings provide a surgical map to guide preoperative planning for superficial tumor excision on the forelimb.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2022
Fascial plane mapping for superficial tumor resection in dogs. Part II: Forelimb
2022-1-VS-latifi-4
In Scheuermann 2024 et al., on 3D-printed reduction systems, how did the complication rates compare between groups?
🔍 Key Findings
- The study was a historic case-control trial comparing custom 3D-printed VSP-guided MIPO (3D-MIPO) to conventional MIPO (c-MIPO) in dogs with diaphyseal tibial fractures.
- Surgical time was significantly shorter in the 3D-MIPO group (117 min vs. 151 min; p = .014), and fluoroscopy use was dramatically reduced (11 vs. 37 images; p < .001).
- All 3D-MIPO reductions were acceptable or near-anatomic; 2 c-MIPO dogs had unacceptable reductions.
- Tibial length, frontal, and sagittal alignment post-op were similar between groups; no significant difference in anatomic restoration (p > .1).
- Radiographic union occurred in all dogs by 3 months. Time to union was similar between groups (3D-MIPO: 67 days vs. c-MIPO: 53 days; p = .207).
- Postoperative complication rate was higher in 3D-MIPO (27% vs. 14%), including 2 major infections requiring implant removal.
- 3D-MIPO required more pre-op time (~23 hours longer from presentation to surgery; p = .002), partly due to guide printing/sterilization.
- Improved surgical efficiency and more consistent reductions were noted in the 3D-MIPO group, supporting its clinical utility despite increased pre-op logistics.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2024
Virtual surgical planning and use of a 3D‐printed, patient‐specific reduction system for minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of diaphyseal tibial fractures in dogs: A historic case control study
2024-6-VS-scheuermann2-5
In Dickson 2024 et al., on VATS for feline chylothorax, what was the most common postoperative complication?
🔍 Key Findings
- Objective: To evaluate outcomes and complications of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for idiopathic chylothorax in 15 cats.
- All 15 cats underwent thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation (TDL); 13 also had simultaneous pericardectomy, 2 had VATS TDL + laparoscopic cisterna chyli ablation (CCA), and 1 cat had an open CCA.
- Median surgical time was 152.5 minutes (range 60–255).
- Contrast was used intraoperatively in 13 cats; 11 received methylene blue, and 2 received indocyanine green (ICG).
- One intraoperative complication (6%) occurred — a minor intercostal artery laceration. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 3 cases (20%) due to visualization issues or bleeding.
- Postoperative complications occurred in 8 cats (53%), with persistent pleural effusion in 5 cats (33%) being the most common.
- Mortality was high: 4 cats (27%) died or were euthanized before discharge. Only 7 of 11 cats discharged had resolution of effusion, and recurrence occurred in 1.
- Authors concluded that while VATS is technically feasible in cats, it did not improve clinical outcomes compared to open surgery, and feline idiopathic chylothorax continues to have a high mortality rate.
Veterinary Surgery
5
2024
Outcome of video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment of idiopathic chylothorax in 15 cats
2024-5-VS-dickson-1
In Israel 2022 et al., on cerclage wire in THR, which of the following statements about cerclage wire outcomes is CORRECT?
🔍 Key Findings
- No proximal femoral fractures occurred in any of the 184 hips with cerclage wire placement
- Cerclage wire was well tolerated, with no failures or complications related to the wire
- Application of a single cerclage wire took <10 minutes, was cost-effective, and required minimal instrumentation
- 3 postoperative complications (1 fissure, 2 fractures) occurred distal to the cerclage site, near the stem tip, requiring plate/screw fixation
- All dogs returned to normal activity, and all owners were satisfied with the outcome
- Cerclage placement location is critical—must be proximal to the lesser trochanter and close to the calcar to resist hoop strain
- Biomechanical evidence supports that cerclage wires improve resistance to hoop strain and subsidence of cementless stems
- Press-fit cementless stems may settle, but when supported by cerclage, this does not result in fractures even in undersized implants
Veterinary Surgery
2
2022
Outcome of canine cementless collared stem total hip replacement with proximal femoral periprosthetic cerclage application: 184 consecutive cases
2022-2-VS-israel-3
In Logothetou 2024 et al., on SPF complications, which anatomic site for SPF reconstruction was associated with the fewest complications?
🔍 Key Findings
- Complication rate for subdermal plexus flaps (SPFs) in dogs was 53.6%.
- Skin staples had a numerically higher complication rate (72.2%) than sutures (49.3%), but not statistically significant due to small sample size.
- Most common complication was wound dehiscence (35%), followed by seroma (14%) and wound discharge (14%).
- Increased body weight was significantly associated with higher complication risk (OR = 1.056 per kg; p = .029).
- Advancement flaps were associated with a lower incidence of complications on univariable analysis (p < .001).
- Head region flap closures had fewer complications, while proximal pelvic limb closures had the highest complication rate.
- Age was a risk factor—each additional year increased odds of complications (OR = 1.019; p = .004).
- Closure technique did not significantly influence complication severity, though staple use was numerically worse.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2024
Complications and influence of cutaneous closure technique on subdermal plexus flaps in 97 dogs (2006–2022)
2024-3-VS-logothetou-3
In Williams 2024 et al., on adrenaline use in maxillary nerve blocks, which breed showed significantly higher **normalized hemorrhage** despite adrenaline use?
🔍 Key Findings
- The addition of adrenaline (0.00198%) to bilateral maxillary nerve blocks significantly reduced intraoperative hemorrhage in dogs undergoing sharp staphylectomy (median reduction: 77.1%).
- Normalized hemorrhage (g/kg) and total hemorrhage (g) were significantly lower in the adrenaline group (p = .021 and p = .013, respectively).
- Surgeon-assessed hemorrhage scores were also significantly lower in the adrenaline group (median 2 vs. 3; p = .029), indicating improved surgical visibility.
- No adverse effects (e.g. tachycardia, arrhythmia, or hypertension) were observed with adrenaline administration.
- A standardized intraoral approach to the maxillary nerve block was used with 0.5 mL per side regardless of dog size.
- Breed effect observed: English Bulldogs had higher normalized hemorrhage, possibly due to anatomical variation or underdosing relative to size.
- Adrenaline may also prolong local anesthetic action and reduce blood aspiration risks, though this was not directly measured.
- The study supports the routine inclusion of adrenaline in maxillary nerve blocks for staphylectomy in BOAS patients to improve surgical field and reduce bleeding.
Veterinary Surgery
8
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
2024-8-VS-williams-5
In Heald 2022 et al., on PED wound therapy, which of the following statements best describes the cat's outcome after PED treatment?
🔍 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.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2022
Electroceutical treatment of infected chronic wounds in a dog and a cat
2022-3-VS-heald-4
Quiz Results
You answered 7 out of 10 questions correctly
Key Findings