🔍 Key Findings

• Prestretching (PS) at 10 mmHg for 3 minutes significantly increased working space at 6 mmHg IAP — IWL +4.4%, IWS +6.9%.
• PS provided ≈63% of the IWL and ≈66% of the IWS gains achieved with sustained 10 mmHg IAP.
• All laparoscopic procedures were completed at 6 mmHg after PS; no conversions or pressure increases were needed.
• Working space benefits persisted throughout surgery — end-of-procedure measurements were unchanged from post-PS baseline.
• Transverse expansion (RLAT/LLAT) was greater than sagittal (CRA/CAU), consistent with adult abdominal wall compliance.
• No adverse anesthetic events occurred; mild complications (e.g., gas leakage) were easily managed.
• Large breed dogs were overrepresented, but all dogs served as their own controls, normalizing size effects.
• Prestretching is a simple, effective technique to maximize working space without increasing insufflation pressure.

🔍 Key Findings

• A linear relationship was observed between wedge angle and tibial plateau angle (TPA) correction across all four CCWO techniques.
• All techniques produced predictable TPA corrections using linear regression-derived equations, allowing wedge angle extrapolation to achieve a target postoperative TPA of 5°.
• TLA shift (tibial long axis) increased with wedge angle and influenced final TPA; greatest in Frederick & Cross method.
• Tibial shortening (mTL%) varied by technique, being most severe (up to 40.9%) in traditional Slocum & Devine CCWO and least in newer techniques (7.5–12%).
• The Oxley mCCWO technique showed lower TLA shift compared to the Frederick & Cross and Christ techniques, though similar to Slocum & Devine; tibial shortening was more pronounced than other modified techniques at wedge angles ≤40°.
• Techniques varied in craniocaudal translation and wedge apex positioning, influencing planning accuracy and mechanical axis alignment.
• The corrective wedge angle equations reliably predicted TPA within 4–6° across varied tibial conformations.
• The study supports equation-based planning over static TPA–5° subtraction to reduce risk of under- or over-correction.

🔍 Key Findings

• Extreme brachycephalic breeds (EBBs) presented more acutely and at younger ages, most often with neurological signs compared to other breeds.
• Preoperative signs such as facial nerve paresis, vestibular syndrome, and Horner’s syndrome were significantly more common in EBBs.
• EBBs showed more severe imaging findings, including higher rates of otitis interna (46.3% vs. 8.5%) and brainstem changes (17.5% vs. 3%).
• Intraoperative complications were more frequent in EBBs (11.1% vs. 5.3%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = .078).
• Perioperative complication rates did not differ significantly between EBBs and other breeds (23.5% vs. 29.3%).
• Surgical time was significantly longer in EBBs (median 115 vs. 95 minutes; p = .011).
• MRI or combined CT/MRI were more frequently used in EBBs, likely due to the higher prevalence of neurological signs.
• Despite anatomical challenges, complication rates in EBBs were comparable, supporting TECA-LBO safety in these breeds.

🔍 Key Findings

Case 1: Chest wall lift improved oxygenation (PaO₂ increased from 179.4 to 306.3 mmHg) and enabled thoracoscopic-assisted lobectomy in a cat with pleural effusion and pulmonary carcinoma.
Case 2: Chest wall lift using a Steinmann pin allowed 3-port thoracoscopic lobectomy for a bronchial foreign body; no complications observed.
Both cats: Lift increased working space and eliminated need for thoracotomy; no device-related complications.
Pretied ligating loops (PLL) were effective for hilar vessel ligation—preferred over staplers or self-locking ligatures in feline thorax.
Conclusion: Thoracic lift is a novel, minimally invasive method enhancing thoracoscopic procedures in small patients, particularly cats.

🔍 Key Findings

• Partial cuneiformectomy (PC) did not increase complication rates compared to multilevel surgery alone (overall complications: PC = 16.3%, non-PC = 19.4%; p = .758).
• Major complication rates were not significantly different (PC = 11.6%, non-PC = 7.4%; p = .482).
• Significant improvement in BOAS grade was observed in dogs undergoing PC (p < .0001).
• BOAS index improved significantly in both groups, with greater median reduction in the PC group (28.5%) than non-PC (20.7%) (p < .0001).
• Low body condition score (BCS <4) was significantly associated with higher complication rates (odds ratio = 0.452; p = .004).
• Hospitalization duration did not differ between groups (median = 1 day; p = .743).
• Mortality was low (3.5%) in the PC group despite more severe airway disease, suggesting the technique is safe even in advanced collapse.
• The technique widened the rima glottidis without damaging surrounding structures, reducing airflow resistance and preserving laryngeal function.

🔍 Key Findings

• 14 joints from 7 cat cadavers underwent AA-HTS successfully.
• Median surgical time: 46.5 min (29–144), including 7 min for arthroscopy and 40 min for toggle placement.
• Intraoperative complications in 5/14 joints: 4 related to femoral tunnel creation, 1 toggle lodging.
• Toggle passage through femoral tunnel was the most challenging step, mildly difficult in 6 joints.
• Cartilage injury occurred in 10 joints, but all were minor (<10% of cartilage area).
• 13 deviations from planned technique were identified (8 major, 5 minor), all involving femoral tunnel placement.
• No neurovascular, intrapelvic, or major periarticular injuries occurred.
• Authors conclude: AA-HTS is feasible in cats, but associated with high rates of minor iatrogenic cartilage damage, intra-op complications, and technique deviations.

🔍 Key Findings

• Needle arthroscopy (NA) had 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity for detecting medial meniscal tears using standard arthroscopy (SA) as the reference.
• NA correctly identified meniscal status in 25/26 dogs, missing only one stable nondisplaced tear.
• NA took less time than SA: 8 ± 3 min vs. 15 ± 9 min (P = .0041).
• Visibility scores were significantly lower with NA than SA for all meniscal horns (medial and lateral) .
• Probing difficulty was greater with NA, especially for the lateral meniscus (P = .0017).
• NA caused no measurable morbidity: lameness scores were unchanged before and after the procedure (P = .25).
• NA was possible in sedated dogs, though 10/26 required additional anesthesia due to delays.
• NA missed 1 lateral tear, likely due to reduced access and lack of shaving compared to SA.

🔍 Key Findings

40 dogs underwent splenectomy using 16 bipolar vessel sealing devices (VSDs)
Devices were reused up to 4 times after handwashing and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization
Biologic debris was found in 100% of devices, specifically under the transection blade, even after a single use

• Mostly scant (14/16) or mild (2/16) debris

No devices or debris yielded positive aerobic culture after EtO sterilization
EtO sterilization proved microbiologically effective despite visible residue
Perioperative failure rate: 1 device (malfunctioned during first activation)

🔍 Key Findings

• Perineal hernia repair was feasible in dorsal recumbency in all 23 dogs, allowing simultaneous perineal and abdominal procedures without repositioning.
• Internal obturator muscle transposition (IOMT) was successfully performed in 22 dogs, with tendon transection facilitating improved muscle elevation.
• Complication rate was 60.9% in-hospital and 47.8% post-discharge, mostly minor (e.g., swelling, drainage), with infection suspected in 4 dogs (17.4%).
• Recurrence rate was 19% overall, but significantly higher in dogs with prior hernia repairs (50% vs 5.9%; p = 0.053).
• Dogs without prior repairs or organ pexies had no recurrences (p = 0.035), suggesting primary repairs without preexisting interventions fare better.
• Castration and adjunctive abdominal procedures (e.g., colopexy, cystopexy) were often performed concurrently (18/23 dogs).
• Colopexy did not prevent recurrence, although it aided in surgical visualization during perineal repair.
• Dorsal positioning allowed simultaneous access to the abdomen and perineum, improving surgical efficiency without added complications.

🔍 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