A retrospective multicenter study on the use of locking compression plates for scapulohumeral arthrodesis in small equids.

Objective: To report on technical aspects and outcomes after scapulohumeral arthrodesis (SHA) with a locking compression plate (LCP) in small equids.

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter case series.

Animals: Client-owned Shetland Ponies, Miniature Shetlands, and American Miniature Horses (n = 15).

Evaluation of four biodegradable, injectable bone cements in an experimental drill hole model in sheep.

Four cement applications were tested in this investigation. Two dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD-brushite) hydraulic cements, an apatite hydraulic fiber loaded cement, and a calcium sulfate cement (Plaster of Paris) were implanted in epiphyseal and metaphyseal cylindrical bone defects in sheep. The in vivo study was performed to assess the biocompatibility and bone remodeling of four cement formulations.

The dynamisation of locking plate osteosynthesis by means of dynamic locking screws (DLS)-an experimental study in sheep.

In this in vivo study a new generation of locking screws was tested. The design of the dynamic locking screw (DLS) enables the dynamisation of the cortex underneath the plate (cis-cortex) and, therefore, allows almost parallel interfragmentary closure of the fracture gap. A 45° angle osteotomy was performed unilaterally on the tibia of 37 sheep.

The influence of different osteosynthesis configurations with locking compression plates (LCP) on stability and fracture healing after an oblique 45° angle osteotomy.

Background: Locking compression plates are used in various configurations with lack of detailed information on consequent bone healing.

Study Design: In this in vivo study in sheep 5 different applications of locking compression plate (LCP) were tested using a 45° oblique osteotomy simulating simple fracture pattern. 60 Swiss Alpine sheep where assigned to 5 different groups with 12 sheep each (Group 1: interfragmentary lag screw and an LCP fixed with standard cortex screws as neutralisation plate; Group 2: interfragmentary lag screw and LCP with locking head screws; Group 3: compression plate technique (hybrid construct); Group 4: internal fixator without fracture gap; Group 5: internal fixator with 3mm gap at the osteotomy site).

The European College of Veterinary Surgeons 1991-2011: a 20-year success story.

The first meeting leading to the formation of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) was held August 30/31, 1990 in Lenzburg, Switzerland. Specialists in small animal and large animal surgery from practice and academicians from many European countries were invited. The constitution was developed based on that of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).

Locking compression plate osteosynthesis of sacral fractures in three heifers.

Objective: To describe a technique used for reduction and internal fixation of sacral fractures in cattle.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Three heifers aged 19-32 months with deformation of the tail head and tail paralysis attributable to a closed fracture of S5 or S4 and S5.

Isolation, establishment, and characterization of ex vivo equine melanoma cell cultures.

Gray horses spontaneously develop metastatic melanomas that resemble human disease, and this is often accompanied with metastasis to other organs. Unlike in other species, the establishment of primary equine melanoma cultures that could be used to develop new therapeutic approaches has remained a major challenge. The purpose of the study was to develop a protocol for routine isolation and cultivation of primary equine melanocytes.

Short incomplete sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx in ten horses not used for racing.

Objective: To describe short incomplete sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (type Ia P1 fractures) in horses not used for racing and report outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Horses (n=10) with type Ia P1 fractures.

Refining animal models in fracture research: seeking consensus in optimising both animal welfare and scientific validity for appropriate biomedical use.

Background: In an attempt to establish some consensus on the proper use and design of experimental animal models in musculoskeletal research, AOVET (the veterinary specialty group of the AO Foundation) in concert with the AO Research Institute (ARI), and the European Academy for the Study of Scientific and Technological Advance, convened a group of musculoskeletal researchers, veterinarians, legal experts, and ethicists to discuss, in a frank and open forum, the use of animals in musculoskeletal research.

Methods: The group narrowed the field to fracture research. The consensus opinion resulting from this workshop can be summarized as follows:

Results & Conclusion: Anaesthesia and pain management protocols for research animals should follow standard protocols applied in clinical work for the species involved.

The effect of cartilage and bone density of mushroom-shaped, photooxidized, osteochondral transplants: an experimental study on graft performance in sheep using transplants originating from different species.

Background: Differences in overall performance of osteochondral photooxidized grafts were studied in accordance of their species origin and a new, more rigorous cleansing procedure using alcohol during preparation.

Methods: Photooxidized mushroom-shaped grafts of bovine, ovine, human and equine origin were implanted in the femoral condyles of 32 sheep (condyles: n = 64). No viable chondrocytes were present at the time of implantation.

Compensatory load redistribution of horses with induced weight-bearing forelimb lameness trotting on a treadmill.

The study was performed to obtain a detailed insight into the load and time shifting mechanisms of horses with unilateral weight-bearing forelimb lameness. Reversible lameness was induced in 11 clinically sound horses by applying a solar pressure model. Three degrees of lameness (subtle, mild and moderate) were induced and compared with sound control measurements.

Vertical ground reaction force-time histories of sound Warmblood horses trotting on a treadmill.

The objective of this study was to establish representative treadmill ground reaction force (GRF) and interlimb co-ordination time data of clinically sound horses at the trot. It was anticipated that these normative standards would provide a reference data base against which lame horses could be compared. GRF-time histories were collected from 30 Warmblood riding horses with easy, wide natural gaits.

Scapulohumeral arthrodesis in miniature horses.

Objectives: To describe surgical arthrodesis of the scapulohumeral joint and to evaluate its efficacy in reducing morbidity associated with severe shoulder dysfunction in miniature horses.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Four miniature horses.

Localized insulin-like growth factor I delivery to enhance new bone formation.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) exerts an important role during skeletal growth and bone formation. Therefore, its localized delivery appears attractive for the treatment of bone defects. To prolong IGF I delivery, we entrapped the protein into biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres (PLGA MS) and evaluated the potential of this delivery system for new bone formation in two defect models of ovine long bones, i.

Comparison of double dynamic compression plating versus two configurations of an internal veterinary fixation device: Results of in vitro mechanical testing using a bone substitute.

Objective: To compare the mechanical properties of 2 configurations of a veterinary fixation system (VFS) for large animal long bones with dynamic compression plating (DCP).

Sample Population: Eighteen pairs of Canevasit tubes (Canevasit; Amsler und Frei, Schinznach Dorf, Switzerland) (length, 170 mm; diameter, 47.5 mm; cortex thickness, 10 mm), aligned with a 10-mm gap, and stabilized with 2 DCP or 2 VFS implants.

Instrumented treadmill for measuring vertical ground reaction forces in horses.

Objective: To develop and validate a novel instrumented treadmill capable of determining vertical ground reaction forces of all 4 limbs simultaneously in horses.

Sample Population: Data obtained while a horse was walking and trotting on the treadmill.

Procedure: 18 piezo-electric force transducers were mounted between the treadmill frame and supporting steel platform to measure the actual forces at the corresponding bearing points.

Veterinary surgery education performed on models.

At the Veterinary Surgery Clinic of the University of Zurich models were developed in cooperation with a surgery professor from the United States. These models allow to practice manual dexterity of the students in basic surgical techniques. Additionally, proper assisting in these basic surgical techniques can also be practiced using these models.