Quiz Question

In Jones 2024 et al., on surgical technique mortality, which factor besides surgical technique was independently associated with increased mortality?

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Correct. Stage II or III laryngeal collapse had an OR of 4.6 for mortality (p = .002).
Incorrect. The correct answer is High-grade laryngeal collapse.
Stage II or III laryngeal collapse had an OR of 4.6 for mortality (p = .002).

🔍 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.

Jones

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

Article Title: Comparison of mortality of brachycephalic dogs undergoing partial staphylectomy using conventional incisional, carbon dioxide laser, or bipolar vessel sealing device

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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In Levine 2025 et al., on thoracoscopic pericardiectomy, which approach produced the largest pericardial resection?

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Correct. PDR achieved significantly larger pericardial fragment sizes (mean difference = 23.21 cm², p = .004).
Incorrect. The correct answer is Paraxiphoid in dorsal recumbency (PDR).
PDR achieved significantly larger pericardial fragment sizes (mean difference = 23.21 cm², p = .004).

🔍 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

Levine

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

Article Title: Intercostal thoracoscopic pericardiectomy in left lateral recumbency: A cadaveric study of feasibility, efficiency, and extent of pericardial resection

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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In Mullen 2024 et al., on NIRF for GDV, how did near-infrared imaging alter the surgical plan in affected dogs?

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Correct. NIRF identified additional nonviable tissue and altered the surgeon’s planned margins in 3 of 20 GDV dogs.
Incorrect. The correct answer is It changed resection margins in 3/20 dogs.
NIRF identified additional nonviable tissue and altered the surgeon’s planned margins in 3 of 20 GDV 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.

Mullen

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

Article Title: Use of real-time near-infrared fluorescence to assess gastric viability in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus: A case-control study

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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In Wolfe 2025 et al., on endoscopic corpectomy feasibility, what was the most common technical complication encountered?

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Correct. Misidentification of the surgical level accounted for most excluded procedures.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Incorrect intervertebral disc localization.
Misidentification of the surgical level accounted for most excluded procedures.

🔍 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.

Wolfe

Veterinary Surgery

8

2025

Integrated endoscopic thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy in cadaver dogs

2025-8-vs-wolfe-5

Article Title: Integrated endoscopic thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy in cadaver dogs

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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In Johnson 2026 et al., on long-term respiratory outcomes, how did owner perception correlate with objective respiratory findings?

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Correct. Many owners believed their dogs had no breathing issues despite persistent clinical signs and abnormal BOAS indices.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Poor or inconsistent correlation.
Many owners believed their dogs had no breathing issues despite persistent clinical signs and abnormal BOAS indices.

🔍 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.

Johnson

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

Article Title: Comparison of short- and long-term objective respiratory outcomes after surgery for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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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?

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Correct. Four of nine TL procedures required conversion, resulting in a 44% conversion rate.
Incorrect. The correct answer is 44%.
Four of nine TL procedures required conversion, resulting in a 44% conversion rate.

🔍 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.

Downey

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

Article Title: Evaluation of long‐term outcome after lung lobectomy for canine non‐neoplastic pulmonary consolidation via thoracoscopic or thoracoscopic‐assisted surgery in 12 dogs

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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In Walker 2022 et al., on TPLO mRUST scoring, which cortex was **excluded** from scoring due to plate obstruction?

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Correct. The medial cortex was obstructed by the TPLO plate and excluded from mRUST scoring.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Medial.
The medial cortex was obstructed by the TPLO plate and excluded from mRUST scoring.

🔍 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.

Walker

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

Article Title: 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

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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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?

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Correct. CT misclassified too many dogs to serve as the sole diagnostic tool; cystoscopy is recommended for confirmation.
Incorrect. The correct answer is CT should be confirmed with cystoscopy.
CT misclassified too many dogs to serve as the sole diagnostic tool; cystoscopy is recommended for confirmation.

🔍 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.

Song

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

Article Title: Receiver operating characteristics of computed tomography (CT) compared to cystoscopy in diagnosis of canine ectopic ureters: Thirty-five cases

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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In Danielski 2022 et al., on humero-anconeal incongruity, what was the location of the novel cartilage lesion consistently observed in elbows with HIF?

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Correct. The lesion was always located on the caudal medial humeral condyle, just medial to the humeral condyle isthmus.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Caudal aspect of the medial humeral condyle.
The lesion was always located on the caudal medial humeral condyle, just medial to the humeral condyle isthmus.

🔍 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.

Danielski

Veterinary Surgery

1

2022

Humero-anconeal elbow incongruity in spaniel breed dogs with humeral intracondylar fissure: Arthroscopic findings

2022-1-VS-danielski2-1

Article Title: Humero-anconeal elbow incongruity in spaniel breed dogs with humeral intracondylar fissure: Arthroscopic findings

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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In Davey 2024 et al., on modified closed anal sacculectomy, how was AGASACA most frequently diagnosed in asymptomatic dogs?

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Correct. 57.4% of dogs had no signs, and AGASACA was identified on digital rectal examination.
Incorrect. The correct answer is Palpation during routine rectal exam.
57.4% of dogs had no signs, and AGASACA was identified on digital rectal examination.

🔍 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.

Davey

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

Article Title: Outcomes of dogs with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma treated via modified closed anal sacculectomy (2015–2022)

Journal: Veterinary Surgery

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Quiz Results

Topic: Imaging & Decision-Making
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