
Quiz Question
In Jones 2024 et al., on surgical technique mortality, which factor besides surgical technique was independently associated with increased mortality?
🔍 Key Findings
- Study compared 606 dogs (English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs) undergoing partial staphylectomy via CO₂ laser, bipolar vessel sealing device (BVSD), or conventional incision.
- Mortality rate: 4.0% (24/606).
- BVSD was associated with significantly increased perioperative mortality compared to other methods (OR = 6.0, 95% CI: 1.3–28.4, p = .023).
- High-grade laryngeal collapse (stage II or III) independently increased mortality risk (OR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.8–11.8, p = .002).
- No difference in mortality between CO₂ laser and conventional incision techniques.
- CO₂ laser and conventional techniques had similar complication rates.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2024
Comparison of mortality of brachycephalic dogs undergoing partial staphylectomy using conventional incisional, carbon dioxide laser, or bipolar vessel sealing device
2024-1-VS-jones-3
In Levine 2025 et al., on thoracoscopic pericardiectomy, which approach produced the largest pericardial resection?
🔍 Key Findings
Study design: Randomized cadaveric comparison (n=20 dogs; ILR vs PDR)
Approaches:
- ILR = Intercostal in Left Lateral Recumbency (no OLV required)
- PDR = Paraxiphoid in Dorsal Recumbency (traditional)
Outcomes:
- Pericardiectomy time was shorter for ILR (p = .045)
- Pericardial fragment size was significantly larger in PDR group (p = .004; 23.21 cm² difference)
- Visibility and cardiac exposure were superior in PDR group
Feasibility:
- ILR approach was consistently successful in achieving partial pericardiectomy
- Bilateral ventilation was adequate; no need for OLV
Clinical relevance:
- ILR may improve efficiency when paired with TDL
- PDR remains preferable for cases requiring maximal pericardial resection
Veterinary Surgery
1
2025
Intercostal thoracoscopic pericardiectomy in left lateral recumbency: A cadaveric study of feasibility, efficiency, and extent of pericardial resection
2025-1-VS-levine-1
In Mullen 2024 et al., on NIRF for GDV, how did near-infrared imaging alter the surgical plan in affected dogs?
🔍 Key Findings
- NIRF altered surgical strategy in 3 of 20 GDV dogs, identifying necrosis not appreciated subjectively.
- Fundic fluorescence <10% indicated histologically confirmed gastric necrosis.
- In 1 dog, NIRF revealed nonviability despite the surgeon’s impression of viability.
- Staple line fluorescence resembled viable tissue in the only stapled gastrectomy, suggesting preservation of perfusion.
- GDV dogs (even “viable”) showed lower fluorescence vs. healthy controls, indicating subclinical vascular compromise.
- Histology confirmed full-thickness necrosis in all 4 dogs with NIRF-defined nonviability.
- Pre-op lactate was significantly higher in nonviable GDV dogs (8.55 vs 4.89 mmol/L, p=0.03).
- No complications were reported from ICG use; imaging was safe and repeatable.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Use of real-time near-infrared fluorescence to assess gastric viability in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus: A case-control study
2024-4-VS-mullen-2
In Wolfe 2025 et al., on endoscopic corpectomy feasibility, what was the most common technical complication encountered?
🔍 Key Findings
- Integrated endoscopic mini-hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy was feasible at all targeted sites from T11–12 through L3–4.
- Target corpectomy dimensions were achieved or exceeded at every included intervertebral disc space.
- Median corpectomy dimensions were ~23% vertebral body length, ~47% body height, and ~74% vertebral canal diameter.
- Thoracic sites required a steeper learning curve, with early failures related to cannula positioning rather than drilling limitations.
- Angled positioning (30°–60° away from the surgeon) subjectively improved drill trajectory and facilitated horizontal corpectomy access.
- No rib head resection or rhizotomy was required to achieve target dimensions using the endoscopic system.
- Excellent visualization of nerve roots and spinal cord was achieved through the 23-mm endoscopic cannula.
- Incorrect intervertebral disc localization was the most common technical error, highlighting the value of intraoperative fluoroscopy.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2025
Integrated endoscopic thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy in cadaver dogs
2025-8-vs-wolfe-5
In Johnson 2026 et al., on long-term respiratory outcomes, how did owner perception correlate with objective respiratory findings?
🔍 Key Findings
- Long-term respiratory outcomes after BOAS surgery remained improved vs. preoperative values, with no significant decline over time.
- Short-term and long-term Respiratory Functional Grades (RFGs) improved in 81% of dogs, with 34% improving by two grades.
- BOAS indices improved significantly in both short- and long-term follow-ups (mean decrease ~23–25%), supporting sustained benefit.
- No significant difference between short- and long-term BOAS indices (p = .623), indicating durability of surgical effects.
- Obesity impacted outcomes — dogs with increased RFG at long-term follow-up were more likely to have gained weight.
- Owner-reported outcomes poorly correlated with objective measures — some dogs classified as BOAS-affected were perceived by owners as “normal.”
- Multilevel surgery was common, with palatoplasty, tonsillectomy, sacculectomy, and ala-vestibuloplasty most frequently performed.
- Dogs undergoing revision airway surgery were excluded, possibly biasing long-term outcomes toward favorable results.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2026
Comparison of short- and long-term objective respiratory outcomes after surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
2026-1-vs-johnson-4
In Downey 2023 et al., on lung lobectomy for pulmonary consolidation, what percentage of thoracoscopic lung lobectomies (TL) required conversion to open or assisted procedures?
🔍 Key Findings
- Thoracoscopic (TL) and thoracoscopic-assisted (TAL) lobectomy were performed in 12 dogs with non-neoplastic pulmonary consolidation.
- 44% (4/9) of TL cases required conversion, most often due to pleural adhesions or poor visualization — a higher rate than for neoplastic lobectomies.
- Surgical mortality was 8.3% (1/12 dogs), with death attributed to unaddressed BOAS, not surgical complications.
- All 11 surviving dogs had no recurrence of clinical signs at a median 24-month follow-up.
- Perioperative complications occurred in 58% (7/12): pneumothorax (2), hemorrhage (3), wound dehiscence (1), progressive pneumonia (1).
- One-lung ventilation (OLV) was successful in 78% of TL dogs but may be harder to achieve in brachycephalic breeds.
- Most dogs had infectious pneumonia (10/12), with bacterial causes identified in 8; fungal and viral etiologies were less common.
- Hospitalization was short, with median stays of 3–4 days depending on approach and conversion status.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2023
Evaluation of long‐term outcome after lung lobectomy for canine non‐neoplastic pulmonary consolidation via thoracoscopic or thoracoscopic‐assisted surgery in 12 dogs
2023-6-vs-downey-2-bb55d
In Walker 2022 et al., on TPLO mRUST scoring, which cortex was **excluded** from scoring due to plate obstruction?
🔍 Key Findings
- TPLO mRUST scoring showed improved inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.56) compared to subjective evaluation (Kappa = 0.33).
- Intra-rater reliability was similar for both methods (TPLO mRUST: 0.73, subjective: 0.72).
- TPLO mRUST scores ≥10/12 strongly correlated with radiographic union, as subjectively assessed (99% agreement).
- No significant difference in healing between first and second TPLO sides (P = .09), countering assumptions about load-bearing impact.
- Higher initial lameness scores and younger age were associated with higher TPLO mRUST scores, suggesting more robust healing in those groups.
- Postoperative complications were linked to lower TPLO mRUST scores, indicating impaired healing.
- Medial cortex was excluded from scoring due to plate obstruction, validating use of only 3 cortices for scoring.
- The TPLO mRUST system may standardize healing assessment, reducing subjective bias across specialties.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2022
Evaluation of a modified radiographic union scale for tibial fractures scoring system in staged bilateral tibial plateau leveling osteotomy procedures and comparison of first and second side radiographic bone healing
2022-8-VS-walker-3
In Song 2024 et al., on CT vs cystoscopy for ectopic ureters in dogs, what did the authors conclude regarding CT's role in surgical planning?
🔍 Key Findings
- CT correctly identified ectopic ureters in 91% of dogs, but missed 50% of normal ureters, limiting its negative predictive value.
- Sensitivity for intramural ectopic ureters was 65%, while specificity was 71%, indicating moderate diagnostic performance.
- Sensitivity for extramural ectopic ureters was only 29%, despite a high specificity of 97%.
- CT was inaccurate in predicting ureteral orifice location, with sensitivity ranging from 0% to 76% depending on the site.
- 26% of dogs were misclassified for cystoscopic laser ablation (CLA) eligibility based on CT findings alone.
- Overall CT accuracy for CLA candidacy was 74%, but a significant minority would have been inappropriately treated.
- Multivariate analysis found no predictive factors (e.g., colon distension, body weight) for when CT would be incorrect.
- Authors recommend confirmatory cystoscopy to verify CT findings prior to treatment planning.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2024
Receiver operating characteristics of computed tomography (CT) compared to cystoscopy in diagnosis of canine ectopic ureters: Thirty-five cases
2024-3-VS-song-5
In Danielski 2022 et al., on humero-anconeal incongruity, what was the location of the novel cartilage lesion consistently observed in elbows with HIF?
🔍 Key Findings
- A novel caudo-medial arthroscopic portal allowed visualization of previously undescribed cartilage lesions on the caudal medial humeral condyle.
- A consistent focal cartilage lesion (HA lesion) was observed in 100% of elbows with HIF (21/21), but in none of the 31 elbows without HIF.
- Lesions varied from indentations to full-thickness cartilage loss, typically elliptical and located just medial to the humeral condyle isthmus.
- A clunk-like sensation and dynamic engagement of the anconeal process into the lesion were observed in 16/21 elbows with HIF during elbow manipulation.
- In 5/21 elbows, engagement of the anconeal process led to observable widening of the HIF line, suggesting dynamic instability.
- Findings support a novel concept of humero-anconeal incongruity as a contributor to the pathogenesis of HIF.
- Spaniel breed was not a confounder—the lesion was only present in elbows with HIF, regardless of breed.
- The study suggests potential for using arthroscopy as a screening tool for early detection of humero-anconeal incongruity and HIF risk.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2022
Humero-anconeal elbow incongruity in spaniel breed dogs with humeral intracondylar fissure: Arthroscopic findings
2022-1-VS-danielski2-1
In Davey 2024 et al., on modified closed anal sacculectomy, how was AGASACA most frequently diagnosed in asymptomatic dogs?
🔍 Key Findings
- Modified closed anal sacculectomy resulted in a local recurrence rate of only 2.2%, substantially lower than prior reports (18–50%).
- Postoperative complications occurred in 31.9% of dogs; most (93%) were minor, with dehiscence being the most common.
- Mean survival time in deceased dogs was 521 days; median was 388 days.
- Surgical technique included complete en bloc excision of the sac and duct with sphincter reconstruction, aiming to reduce seeding risk.
- Only one major complication resulted in euthanasia due to infection and dehiscence.
- Histologic margins were complete in 44.7% of dogs; lymphatic invasion was present in 31.9%, and vascular in 8.5%.
- Adjunctive chemotherapy was administered in 34% of dogs (mostly carboplatin); not standardized due to retrospective design.
- Routine rectal exam was key to diagnosis in 57.4% of dogs with no clinical signs, underscoring the importance of screening.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2024
Outcomes of dogs with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma treated via modified closed anal sacculectomy (2015–2022)
2024-6-VS-davey-5
Quiz Results
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Key Findings
