Quiz Question
In Nicolas 2024 et al., what was a key advantage of the lateral scapular osteotomy approach versus dorsal or ventral routes?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- The lateral approach via scapular osteotomy allowed safe access to the T1-2 foramen in a French Bulldog with foraminal disc extrusion.
- A mini-hemilaminectomy was performed, preserving articular facets.
- The dog had no neurologic deficits postoperatively, returned to ambulation within 24 hours, and was discharged in 3 days.
- At 10 months, CT confirmed excellent scapular healing and no recurrence.
- Double 2.4-mm locking plates provided stable fixation across the scapular spine.
- The technique avoided thoracic entry or dorsal spine dissection, suggesting a less invasive alternative for select T1-2 foraminal cases.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
2
2024
Scapular Osteotomy for Lateral Access to a T1-2 Foraminal Disc Extrusion, Treated by Mini-Hemilaminectomy in a Dog
2024-2-VCOT-nicolas-4
In Papacella-Beugger 2024 et al., on neuronavigation, what percentage of screws were deemed appropriately placed?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- Cadaveric study using 3 miniature breed dogs (6 hemipelves) to assess spinal neuronavigation accuracy for lumbar plate fixation
- 20 screws placed using CBCT-based navigation with real-time tracking
- 85% (17/20) of screws were safely and accurately placed
- Median deviation of screw entry points from plan: 1.8 mm
- All 3 misplaced screws occurred in a single cadaver, attributed to inexperienced drill handling
- Custom 3D-printed lightweight tracking array was necessary due to small spinous processes in miniature dogs
- No iatrogenic canal perforations or vertebral damage in any specimen
- Concludes neuronavigation offers precise, safe placement of spinal implants in small dogs, with minimal anatomic disruption
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
6
2024
Spinal Neuronavigation for Lumbar Plate Fixation in Miniature Breed Dogs
2024-6-VCOT-papacella-beugger-1
In Ciammaichella 2025 et al., on lymphadenectomy complications, which lymphadenectomy site had the highest rate of postoperative complications?
🔍 Key Findings
- Ilio-sacral lymphadenectomy had the highest complication rates: intraoperative (7%) and postoperative (41%)
- Axillary lymphadenectomy showed the lowest complication rates: intraoperative (1%) and postoperative (16%)
- Enlarged or metastatic lymph nodes were significantly associated with intraoperative complications (p = .030)
- Postoperative complications were mostly minor (Grade 1) and self-limiting (seromas, edema)
- Medial retropharyngeal lymphadenectomy had intermediate complication rates: postoperative complications in 26%
- No significant predictors retained significance in multivariate analysis
- Use of methylene blue was associated with fewer complications, although not statistically significant
- Complication rates did not result in mortality, and all were manageable; MST was 374 days
Veterinary Surgery
7
2025
Complications of medial retropharyngeal, axillary, and ilio-sacral lymphadenectomy in 127 dogs with malignant tumors
2025-7-VS-ciammaichella-1
In Becker 2026 et al., on lumbar spine PLC biomechanics, what explanation was given for the preservation of rotational stability despite PLCs?
🔍 Key Findings
- Each PLC significantly increased passive range of motion (ROM) in the sagittal and dorsal planes (p < .05).
- No significant change was observed in rotational ROM after either PLC.
- First PLC increased sagittal ROM by 2.4° (23% increase); second PLC added 1.0° (8% increase).
- Dorsal ROM increased by 2.3° after first PLC and 1.5° after second PLC.
- Second PLC did not cause greater destabilization than the first — both contributed similarly to ROM increase.
- Failure testing showed that spinal segments with two PLCs failed at 13 Nm, while native spines withstood up to 25 Nm, suggesting reduced load-bearing capacity but not clinically significant under normal conditions.
- Rotational stability was preserved, possibly due to intact facet joints and lamina, which play a larger role in rotation.
- Study supports the clinical feasibility of two consecutive PLCs, but cautions against excessive bone removal due to potential for spinal instability.
Veterinary Surgery
1
2026
Influence of two consecutive partial lateral corpectomies on passive motion of the canine lumbar spine
2026-1-VS-becker-5
In Hanlon 2022 et al., on short screw sacroiliac fixation, what was the mechanical advantage of using two short screws versus one long screw?
🔍 Key Findings
- Two short screws (SLS or SPS) provided >2× peak load, yield load, and stiffness vs a single long screw (LLS) for SI joint stabilization.
- No mechanical advantage was seen between the two short screw types (lag vs positional).
- All short screws terminated lateral to the spinal canal, avoiding spinal impingement.
- Ventral sacral foraminal impingement occurred in 3 short-screw cases (1 SPS, 2 SLS), all involving the caudal screw.
- LLS group showed more abaxial displacement at osteotomy sites, suggesting inferior stabilization for concurrent pelvic fractures.
- Short screw constructs had longer total screw length (48 mm) than LLS (40 mm), contributing to increased stiffness.
- Positioning of caudal screw in a cranial/craniodorsal trajectory may help avoid nerve foraminal injury.
- No significant difference in displacement at peak load among groups; stiffness and load capacity were the primary benefits.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2022
Mechanical evaluation of canine sacroiliac joint stabilization using two short screws
2022-7-VS-hanlon-1
In Violini 2024 et al., on 3D-guided spinal stabilization in brachycephalic dogs, which of the following best describes the utility of 3D-printed drill guides?
🔍 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-5
In Guevara 2024 et al., on implant placement accuracy, what was the rate of acceptable pin placement using 3D-printed guides?
🔍 Key Findings:
- Sample: 24 canine cadavers, 477 total pins across 240 vertebrae.
- Technique Comparison: 3D printed guides (3DPG) vs freehand (FH).
- Acceptable Placement Rates: 3DPG = 87.5%, FH = 69.8% (p < .0001).
- Odds Ratio for FH: 0.28 (95% CI 0.16–0.47), significantly less likely to yield acceptable placement.
- Worst Accuracy Locations: T10 (OR 0.10), T11 (OR 0.35).
- Surgeon Impact: Surgeon 2 outperformed others (OR 9.61, p = .001).
- Modified Zdichavsky Classification used to score implant accuracy (Grades I–IIIb).
- Primary Benefit of 3DPG: Increased safety and precision, regardless of surgeon experience.
Veterinary Surgery
2
2024
Ex vivo comparison of pin placement with patient-specific drill guides or freehand technique in canine cadaveric spines
2024-2-VS-guevara-1
In Nicolas 2024 et al., what spinal level was targeted using the lateral scapular osteotomy approach?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- The lateral approach via scapular osteotomy allowed safe access to the T1-2 foramen in a French Bulldog with foraminal disc extrusion.
- A mini-hemilaminectomy was performed, preserving articular facets.
- The dog had no neurologic deficits postoperatively, returned to ambulation within 24 hours, and was discharged in 3 days.
- At 10 months, CT confirmed excellent scapular healing and no recurrence.
- Double 2.4-mm locking plates provided stable fixation across the scapular spine.
- The technique avoided thoracic entry or dorsal spine dissection, suggesting a less invasive alternative for select T1-2 foraminal cases.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
2
2024
Scapular Osteotomy for Lateral Access to a T1-2 Foraminal Disc Extrusion, Treated by Mini-Hemilaminectomy in a Dog
2024-2-VCOT-nicolas-1
In İnal 2025 et al., on supracutaneous locking plates, what was one key advantage of SLPs over external skeletal fixation in bilateral fractures?
🔍 Key Findings
- Supracutaneous locking plates (SLPs) were successfully used to manage 33 diaphyseal fractures (radial–ulnar and tibial) in 30 cats and dogs.
- Median fracture healing time was 50.5 days (range: 27–88), with most patients regaining limb use within days postoperatively.
- CT-based metrics (callus area, HU, and 3D bone volume) increased significantly during healing (p < 0.05), validating CT as a quantitative tool for assessing healing.
- Complications were minimal: minor in 15/33 (e.g., screw tract discharge, edema), and major in 3/33 (e.g., implant failure, delayed union, nonunion).
- Minimally invasive osteosynthesis required longer surgery times than closed reduction (p < 0.05), but both techniques were viable.
- SLPs enabled successful bilateral fracture management without inter-plate interference due to their compact design.
- Screw orientation challenges were noted in cats, especially with cranial application to the radius due to narrow anatomy.
- Polyaxial locking screws were used safely and did not dislodge, allowing for angular insertion (≤10°) to avoid neurovascular structures.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
5
2025
Minimally Invasive Radial–Ulnar and Tibial Fracture Management with Supracutaneous Locking Plates in Dogs and Cats
2025-5-VCOT-inal-5
In Guevara 2024 et al., on implant placement accuracy, which vertebra had the lowest odds of acceptable pin placement?
🔍 Key Findings:
- Sample: 24 canine cadavers, 477 total pins across 240 vertebrae.
- Technique Comparison: 3D printed guides (3DPG) vs freehand (FH).
- Acceptable Placement Rates: 3DPG = 87.5%, FH = 69.8% (p < .0001).
- Odds Ratio for FH: 0.28 (95% CI 0.16–0.47), significantly less likely to yield acceptable placement.
- Worst Accuracy Locations: T10 (OR 0.10), T11 (OR 0.35).
- Surgeon Impact: Surgeon 2 outperformed others (OR 9.61, p = .001).
- Modified Zdichavsky Classification used to score implant accuracy (Grades I–IIIb).
- Primary Benefit of 3DPG: Increased safety and precision, regardless of surgeon experience.
Veterinary Surgery
2
2024
Ex vivo comparison of pin placement with patient-specific drill guides or freehand technique in canine cadaveric spines
2024-2-VS-guevara-3
Quiz Results
You answered 7 out of 10 questions correctly
Key Findings