
Quiz Question
In Scheuermann 2023 et al., on MIPO with 3D-printed bone models, what postoperative alignment difference was noted in the FRS group compared to the virtual surgical plan?
🔍 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.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2023
Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of femoral fractures with 3D-printed bone models and custom surgical guides: A cadaveric study in dogs
2023-7-VS-scheuermann-3
In Eskelinen 2025 et al., on Plate–Pin fixation for MPL, what was the most common cause of minor complications?
🔍 Key Findings
- Plate–Pin TTT fixation resolved MPL in 64/65 stifles with low recurrence (1.5%) and good lameness outcomes postoperatively.
- Complication rate was 21.5% (14/65 stifles), mostly minor (57%); major issues included pin migration, fracture, or capsular failure.
- Pin-related issues accounted for 8 of 20 total complications, highlighting implant refinement is needed.
- No avulsions, TT fixation failures, or luxation recurrence occurred in cases where surgical technique was followed precisely.
- Surgical deviations increased complication risk 11.3× (p < 0.05), suggesting adherence to protocol is critical.
- Single-session bilateral MPL surgery had comparable complication rate (3/20) to unilateral surgery (11/45).
- Screw breakage occurred in 3 cases, suggesting at least 3 screws may be needed for secure TT fixation.
- Authors suggest temporary pin fixation and later removal may reduce complications, though prospective studies are needed.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
4
2025
Outcome and Complications Following Medial Patellar Luxation Corrective Surgery with Tibial Tuberosity Transposition Using a Locking Plate and a Pin Fixation: 45 Unilateral and 20 Single-Session Bilateral Procedures
2025-4-VCOT-eskelinen-3
In Violini 2024 et al., on 3D-guided spinal stabilization in brachycephalic dogs, what postoperative complication occurred due to PMMA cement overextension?
🔍 Key Findings
- Spinal stabilization with 3D-printed patient-specific drill guides (3D-PSGs) was safe, with no immediate perioperative complications reported.
- 84% of pedicle screws were optimally placed, and only 0.5% breached the spinal canal, reflecting high placement accuracy.
- 80% of dogs experienced no neurologic deterioration postoperatively, indicating reliable short-term safety.
- 3D-PSGs were accurate and reproducible, even across multiple institutions and surgeons.
- Mid-term outcomes were favorable: all dogs were ambulatory, and 90% had static or improved neurologic signs.
- 7 of 10 mid-term follow-ups showed abnormal gait, though owners rated lifestyle ≥3/5, suggesting acceptable function.
- 3D-printed guides enabled precise pedicle screw placement in deformed vertebrae, expanding options in small breeds.
- One dog suffered a T4 spinous process fracture due to overextension of PMMA cement, emphasizing the need for cement placement caution.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Clinical outcomes of 20 brachycephalic dogs with thoracolumbar spinal deformities causing neurological signs treated with spinal stabilization using 3D-printed patient-specific drill guides
2024-4-VS-violini-3
In Carvajal 2025 et al., on femoral stem breakage, what was the most common radiographic finding among failed implants?
🔍 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.
Veterinary Surgery
3
2025
Breakage of cementless press‐fit femoral stems following total hip arthroplasty in dogs: 14 cases (2013–2023)
2025-3-VS-carvajal-1
In Israel 2022 et al., on cerclage wire in THR, what is a biomechanical benefit of cerclage application around the proximal femur?
🔍 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-5
In Johnson 2022 et al., on PET implant outcomes, what was the most common site of failure identified in torn implants?
🔍 Key Findings
- Only 2 of 10 PET implants were fully intact and functional at 6 months post-op.
- Owner-reported function (LOAD scores) improved by 51.7% (p = .008) over 6 months.
- Gait asymmetry improved by 86% (p = .002) postoperatively.
- Implant failure occurred in the midbody of the PET device, suggesting fatigue as a failure mechanism.
- One dog (10%) developed implant infection, necessitating implant removal.
- Implant fixation method (screws + washers + interference screw) was mechanically adequate and technically simple.
- Partially intact implants (4/10) still showed improved clinical outcomes, despite structural compromise.
- Midbody tearing and lack of long-term integrity prohibit continued use of this PET implant in CCL repair.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2022
Outcome of cranial cruciate ligament replacement with an enhanced polyethylene terephthalate implant in the dog: A pilot clinical trial
2022-8-VS-johnson-2
In Danielski 2022 et al., on humero-anconeal incongruity, what was the proposed mechanism by which HIF may develop in spaniel breeds?
🔍 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-danielski2-4
In Redolfi 2024 et al., what was the most common major complication observed after TPLO-TTT?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- Study of 24 stifles in 22 dogs with concurrent CCLR and grade III–IV MPL treated via TPLO-TTT
- Major complications: 4/24 (3 surgical site infections, 1 MPL reluxation); minor complications: 5/24
- Long-term follow-up (median 27 months): 21/22 dogs sound, 23/24 stifles resolved
- Patellar ligament thickening observed post-op in 4 cases, resolved with rehab
- The only case of MPL reluxation involved untreated tibial torsion, suggesting case selection is critical
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
1
2024
Complications and Long-Term Outcomes after Combined Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy and Tibial Tuberosity Transposition for Treatment of Concurrent Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Grade III or IV Medial Patellar Luxation
2024-1-VCOT-redolfi-2
In Chitty 2025 et al., on tibial fracture fixation in immature dogs, what was the major complication rate observed in the external fixation group?
🔍 Key Findings
Internal fixation (IF) group (n=59):
- Complication rate: 20.3%
- Major complications: 15.3%
- Longer time to discharge if complications occurred (median: 12.5 weeks)
External skeletal fixation (ESF) group (n=36):
- Complication rate: 55.6% (p < .001 vs IF)
- Major complications: 52.8%
- Most common issue: pin tract morbidity
Multivariable analysis:
- Use of IF significantly reduced odds of complications (OR 0.23, p = .004)
- Use of post-op antibiotics associated with increased odds of complications (OR 3.53, p = .028)
Fixation choice influenced by age:
- Older puppies more likely to receive IF (OR 1.25 per week increase in age, p < .001)
Breed & fracture distribution:
- Common breeds: Labrador, Border Collie, Whippet
- Common fracture sites: middle and proximal third of tibia
Veterinary Surgery
4
2025
Short‐term complications of internal versus external fixation of closed diaphyseal tibial fractures in 95 skeletally immature dogs
2025-4-VS-chitty-1
In Perry 2025 et al., on I-Loc fracture fixation, which factor most increased the risk of surgical site infection and implant removal?
🔍 Key Findings
- High union rate with low complications was achieved using the I-Loc angle-stable interlocking nail across 243 canine long-bone fractures.
- Mean time to clinical union was 8.3 weeks, faster than many historical plate-rod or non-angle-stable nail reports.
- Major complications occurred in only 5.3% and minor complications in 9.1% of cases.
- Most fractures were diaphyseal (75%) and comminuted (62%), demonstrating effectiveness in complex fracture patterns.
- Ancillary implants were uncommon (21%), mainly used in epi-/metaphyseal fractures or for anatomic reconstruction.
- Postoperative missed bolt rate was very low (0.94%), reflecting improved targeting accuracy.
- Open fractures carried a substantially higher risk of SSI and implant removal compared with closed fractures.
- Prebending of tibial nails was strongly recommended to follow natural recurvatum and avoid iatrogenic alignment errors.
Veterinary Surgery
8
2025
Outcomes of 243 dogs with traumatic fractures treated with the I-Loc interlocking nail
2025-8-VS-perry-4
Quiz Results
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Key Findings
