Quiz Question
In Chik 2026 et al., on barbed gastropexy outcomes, which technical characteristic distinguishes barbed suture gastropexy (BSG) from standard incisional gastropexy?
🔍 Key Findings
- Barbed suture gastropexy (BSG) significantly reduced surgical time compared with standard incisional gastropexy (SIG) when performed alone (53.3 vs 62.6 min, p = .03).
- Perioperative mortality was 5.79% (7/121) and did not differ between techniques (SIG 5/63 vs BSG 2/58; p = .28).
- No significant difference in perioperative or postoperative complication rates between BSG and SIG (p = .12).
- Recurrence of GDV or gastric dilatation without volvulus did not differ between groups, supporting comparable efficacy of the techniques.
- Postoperative gastrointestinal signs occurred in ~23% of dogs, with no difference between techniques (p = .33).
- BSG uses abrasion and a single continuous barbed suture without seromuscular incisions, simplifying the procedure.
- Study cohort included 121 dogs (BSG n = 58; SIG n = 63) treated surgically for GDV at a referral hospital.
- Overall conclusion: barbed suture gastropexy is a viable alternative to incisional gastropexy, offering shorter operative time with comparable outcomes and recurrence risk.
Veterinary Surgery
2
2026
Comparison of short-term outcomes and recurrence rates in dogs undergoing open right-sided barbed suture gastropexy and standard incisional gastropexy for treatment of gastric dilatation-volvulus
2026-2-vs-chik-4
In Wood 2024 et al., on knot security and locking throws, which suture material showed greater holding strength?
🔍 Key Findings
- Adding a single locking throw significantly increased holding security for specific knots, including the surgeon's throw (p = .0001) and square throw (p = .0002).
- For the Miller's throw (p = .166) and strangle throw (p = .808), no significant improvement was observed with a locking throw.
- After locking throw addition, all five knots leaked at similar pressures (p = .5233), and these pressures exceeded physiologic arterial pressures.
- Surgeon's throw without a locking throw had the lowest leak pressure (62.5 ± 46.2 mm Hg), below physiologic arterial values.
- The square throw without locking also leaked below physiologic pressures (148.7 ± 109.4 mm Hg), though it outperformed the surgeon's throw.
- Miller’s and strangle throws performed significantly better than square or surgeon’s throws without locking, achieving leak pressures >200 mm Hg.
- All knots used 2-0 polyglyconate monofilament (Maxon); no comparisons across suture types or sizes were performed.
- Authors concluded that correct tensioning and locking throw addition are key to safe vascular ligation. Miller’s, strangle, or slip knots are preferred for challenging surgical fields.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Influence of a single locking throw on the in vitro holding security of five friction knots using two monofilament suture materials in a canine model
2024-4-VS-wood-4
In Jones 2024 et al., on surgical technique mortality, what was found when comparing CO₂ laser and conventional incisional techniques?
🔍 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-4
In Heikkilä 2024 et al., on COPLA scaffold evaluation, what was the significant imaging-based outcome at 6 months in the COPLA group?
🔍 Key Findings Summary
- 22 dogs (36 shoulders) with shoulder OCD randomly assigned to COPLA scaffold (n=19) or Control (n=17) group
- At 6 months: Significantly fewer dogs in COPLA group had OA (14% vs. 67%; p = 0.019)
- At 1.5 years: OA prevalence increased in both groups with no significant difference (COPLA: 64%, Control: 60%)
- HCPI (pain index) increased significantly at 1 week post-op in COPLA dogs only (p = 0.001), but later normalized
- Static weight-bearing improved only in unilaterally operated COPLA limbs (p = 0.015)
- One dog in COPLA group had a fragment dislodge requiring arthroscopic removal
- Overall, COPLA scaffold may provide short-term benefit in OA reduction, but long-term outcomes were similar
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
6
2024
Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial of Polylactide–Collagen Scaffold in Treatment of Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans in Dogs
2024-6-VCOT-heikkila-1
In Miller 2024 et al., on staple vs. hand-sewn feline GI techniques, how did HSE compare to SSE in terms of construct completion time and leak resistance?
🔍 Key Findings
- Skin staple anastomosis (SSA) had comparable leak pressures to hand-sewn anastomosis (HSA) but required half the time to complete.
- Skin staple enterotomy (SSE) had significantly lower leak pressures than hand-sewn enterotomy (HSE) and failed in 12/20 constructs during pressure testing.
- HSE constructs took 8× longer to complete than SSE, but had much higher intraluminal pressure tolerance.
- All SSE constructs leaked from the center, with 35% leaking immediately and 60% showing catastrophic failure.
- SSA leakage occurred at the center in 40% of constructs, likely due to a learning curve in early samples.
- All constructs had higher pressures than normal physiologic intestinal pressure (4.0 mmHg ±2.0), except some SSEs with immediate leaks.
- Authors recommend SSA as a viable alternative with appropriate training but do not recommend SSE using the tested technique in live cats.
- Staple size and placement technique are key factors; smaller or more precisely placed staples may reduce leak risk.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2024
Performance time and leak pressure of hand-sewn and skin staple intestinal anastomoses and enterotomies in cadaveric cats
2024-4-VS-miller-4
In Cronin 2026 et al., on hilar ligature outcomes, which knot configuration demonstrated the highest proportion of intraoperative hemorrhage?
🔍 Key Findings
- Hilar circumferential ligature (HCL) techniques resulted in a low overall complication rate during total lung lobectomy in dogs and cats undergoing surgery for clinical disease.
- 80 animals (65 dogs, 15 cats) underwent removal of 94 lung lobes, with 59 lobectomies performed using a commercial pre-tied ligature loop (CPLL) and 35 using hand-tied circumferential ligatures (HTCL).
- Intraoperative hemorrhage occurred in 4.3% of lobectomies (4/94) and was not significantly associated with ligature type (CPLL vs HTCL), knot type, or number of sutures per pedicle.
- Sliding knots had a notably higher hemorrhage proportion (28.6%), suggesting potential safety concerns with this knot configuration.
- Modified Miller’s knots (n=25) and Roeder knots (n=3) performed without reported hemorrhage complications, supporting their use in hilar ligation.
- One intraoperative mortality occurred due to tumor extrusion into the bronchus, rather than failure of the ligation technique.
- One postoperative complication required revision surgery for pneumothorax 8 days after surgery, indicating a low postoperative complication incidence.
- The technique offers a cost-effective and technically straightforward alternative to stapling devices, supporting broader clinical use of hilar ligature approaches.
Veterinary Surgery
2
2026
Perioperative outcomes of 65 dogs and 15 cats undergoing lung lobectomies with a hilar circumferential ligature
2026-2-vs-cronin-2
In Boullenger 2025 et al., on traumatic patellar luxation, what was the total proportion of cases experiencing severe complications?
🔍 Key Findings
- Patients: 16 (11 dogs, 5 cats); 6.1% of canine and 23.8% of feline PL cases were traumatic.
- Most common luxation direction: Medial (81.3%).
- Surgery: All had capsular imbrication; 75% had fabello-patellar suture (FPS).
- Short-term results (13/16 cases):
- 77% had no lameness by 2 months.
- 85% had no PL recurrence.
- 3 severe complications: capsulorrhaphy tear, FPS fabellar tear, septic arthritis.
- Long-term results (13/16 cases):
- 85% lameness-free.
- 77% full function; 23% acceptable.
- 0 reluxations reported by owners.
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology
1
2025
Clinical Presentation, Surgical Treatment, and Outcome of Traumatic Patellar Luxation in 11 Dogs and 5 Cats: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study between 2011 and 2022
2025-1-VC-boullenger-4
In Fidelis 2025 et al., on suture eyelet geometry, which anchor showed the **least reduction in suture strength** compared to a smooth eyebolt reference?
🔍 Key Findings
- Raised eyelets caused more suture mid-section failures than embedded eyelets, suggesting wear or cutting against the anchor.
- No significant effect of cyclic loading on failure load (Fmax) was found for any anchor group.
- Anika anchor showed the least reduction in suture strength relative to the reference (eyebolt screw), indicating a favorable design.
- All sutures failed via suture breakage, not anchor pullout, indicating suture fatigue was the primary failure mode.
- Sutures in raised eyelets more often failed at the mid-section, while those in embedded eyelets failed at the knot.
- IMEX and Jorvet anchors showed significantly reduced Fmax compared to eyebolt screws.
- Loading direction and anchor design likely affect wear and ultimate failure, particularly in dynamic in vivo conditions.
- Future designs should aim for embedded, smooth eyelets that can accommodate larger suture sizes without increasing wear.
Veterinary Surgery
6
2025
Effect of suture anchor type, eyelet configuration, and loading condition on suture failure: An in vitro study
2025-6-VS-fidelis-1
In Canever 2022 et al., on labial flap vascular anatomy, which tissue layer was most critical to include to ensure arterial perfusion of the flap?
🔍 Key Findings
- Superior and inferior labial arteries in cats perfuse robust angiosomes, which support musculomucosal axial pattern flaps.
- Cadaver angiography confirmed vascular anatomy, with consistent patterns between sides and among specimens.
- The vascular supply is located primarily in the musculomucosal layer, not the skin, critical for flap viability.
- Flap harvest requires inclusion of the orbicularis oris (± buccinator) muscle to ensure vascular integrity and flap survival.
- Two clinical cases demonstrated successful use of superior and inferior labial musculomucosal flaps for palatal reconstruction with complete flap survival and resolution of clinical signs.
- Intraoperative transillumination aided vessel localization, facilitating surgical planning and flap design.
- No cases of distal flap necrosis or dehiscence occurred, although mild donor site morbidity (lip retraction, mucosal denuding) was noted.
- These flaps offer a valuable option when local tissues are compromised, especially after failed previous repairs or radiation therapy.
Veterinary Surgery
4
2022
Evaluation of the superior and inferior labial musculomucosal flaps in cats: An angiographic study and case series
2022-4-VS-canever-3
In Davies 2024 et al., on lymphaticovenous anastomosis, what was used to create the end-to-end connection?
🔍 Key Findings
- Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (TD to AV) was successfully performed in all 8 feline cadavers using a microvascular anastomotic coupler (MAC).
- Anastomotic patency was confirmed intraoperatively and postoperatively in 7/8 cats via contrast lymphography or retrograde venography.
- Dissection and anastomosis took a median of 120 minutes, with minimal technical complications.
- A 1.5 mm MAC was used in 6 cats, and a 2.0 mm in 2 cats; TD diameter ranged 1.0–1.5 mm, AV up to 2.25 mm.
- Challenges included vessel twisting and luminal patency issues, resolved intraoperatively with minor adjustments (e.g., repeat pinning, tacking suture).
- MAC use eliminated need for hand-suturing, lowering skill demands but requiring precise alignment.
- Technique provides direct lymphatic-to-venous drainage, potentially reducing the stimulus for collateral vessel formation.
- May serve as a future treatment option for feline idiopathic chylothorax, warranting further in vivo studies.
Veterinary Surgery
7
2024
Lymphaticovenous anastomosis of the caudal thoracic duct to the azygous vein: A feline cadaver study
2024-7-VS-davies-1
Quiz Results
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Key Findings