The reliability of a ball-tipped probe for detection of breached versus non-breached pedicle drill tracts in the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine of a canine large breed cadaveric model.

Background: Spinal stabilization in dogs is challenging, and improper implant placement can result in significant morbidity. Objectives were to evaluate reliability of a ball-tipped probe for detection of breached versus non-breached pedicle drill tracts in a canine large breed cadaveric model. CT scans obtained from T6 to sacrum.

Retrospective evaluation of perioperative clinical outcomes of diaphyseal femoral fractures repaired with the string-of-pearls locking plate system with adjunctive fixation.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes and complication rate of utilizing a string-of-pearls (SOP) plate augmented with adjunctive fixation in the repair of canine femur fractures.

Methods: Records of canine patients with mid-diaphyseal femoral fractures repaired with the SOP plate and adjunctive fixation were reviewed. Information retrieved from medical records included signalment, patient weight, fracture configuration, repair technique, healing time, and complications based on perioperative radiographic follow-up to clinical union.

Evaluation of sterile glove usage on digital tactile sensitivity using the Grating Orientation Task.

Introduction: Surgical glove use may be associated with a decrease in tactile sensitivity, with thicker gloves or double-gloving techniques further altering sensation. This study evaluates digital tactile sensitivity by use of a Grating Orientation Task (GOT) with multiple sterile gloving techniques (no gloves, single standard gloving, double standard gloving, orthopedic gloves, and micro-thickness gloves).

Methods: Each participant performed the GOT at increasing grating widths until correctly noting orientation in ≥8 of 10 trials with multiple glove types or double-gloving technique.

Feasibility and accuracy of intraosseous endoscopy for inspection of thoracolumbar and lumbar pedicle drill tracts in a canine large-breed cadaveric model.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic inspection of thoracolumbar and lumbar pedicle tracts in a canine large-breed model and its accuracy for the detection of breached versus nonbreached tracts.

Animals: 2 greyhound cadavers.

Methods: CT scans of 2 greyhound cadavers from the sixth thoracic vertebra to the sacrum were obtained.

Case report: Corpectomy and iliac crest bone autograft as treatment for a vertebral plasma cell tumor in a dachshund dog.

A 7-year-old, 7.5 kg, female spayed dachshund dog presented to a veterinary teaching hospital after being referred for lameness and the inability to urinate. The dog presented as weakly ambulatory paraparetic with intact pain perception.

Accuracy of pin placement in the canine thoracolumbar spine using a free-hand probing technique versus 3D-printed patient-specific drill guides: An ex-vivo study.

Objective: To compare pin placement accuracy, intraoperative technique deviations, and duration of pin placement for pins placed by free-hand probing (FHP) or 3D-printed drill guide (3DPG) technique.

Sample Population: Four greyhound cadavers.

Methods: Computed tomography (CT) examinations from T6-sacrum were obtained for determination of optimal pin placement and 3DPG creation.

Diagnostic traction and dorsal locking plate stabilization of a fifth and sixth thoracic vertebral fracture/luxation in a golden retriever: Case report.

Traction was used to diagnose instability of a T5-T6 traumatic luxation that was stabilized with locking plates in the laminae and dorsal pedicles. A two-year-old, 27 kg, female spayed golden retriever was presented to a veterinary teaching hospital after being referred for possible mandibular and spinal fractures after being hit by a car. The dog presented non-ambulatory paraparetic with intact pain perception.

Linear external skeletal fixation applied in minimally invasive fashion for stabilization of nonarticular tibial fractures in dogs and cats.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of linear external skeletal fixation (ESF) applied using minimally invasive techniques in dogs and cats.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Forty-nine dogs and 6 cats.

Computed tomography evaluation of proposed implant corridors in canine thoracic vertebrae.

Objective: Identify acceptable implant corridors in the normal canine thoracic vertebrae (T) from T1 to T9.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Sample Population: Computed tomographic (CT) studies of normal canine thoracic spines (n = 39).

Ex vivo mechanical testing of various suture patterns for use in tendon plating.

Objective: To determine the influence of suture patterns on resistance to gap formation after tendon plating STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo study SAMPLE POPULATION: Suspensory ligament and superficial and deep digital flexor tendons harvested from 16 neonatal cadaver foal limbs.

Methods: Each tendon/ligament from a given limb was randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups consisting of a 7-hole veterinary cuttable plate fixed with alternating simple interrupted, figure-8, or hybrid suture patterns. The constructs were distracted at a rate of 1.

Radiation exposure associated with percutaneous fluoroscopically guided lag screw fixation for sacroiliac luxation in dogs.

Objective: To determine radiation exposure to surgical personnel and to evaluate the accuracy of a modified percutaneous lag screw fixation technique for sacroiliac luxation (SIL) under fluoroscopic guidance in dogs.

Study Design: Cadaveric experimental study.

Sample Population: Seventeen beagle cadavers with iatrogenic SIL.

Short-term outcomes of 59 dogs treated for ilial body fractures with locking or non-locking plates.

Objective: To determine the influence of plating systems on the clinical outcomes in dogs treated for ilial fractures.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Fifty-nine dogs (63 hemipelves).

A novel design of printable tunable stiffness metamaterial for bone healing.

A tunable stiffness bone rod was designed, optimized, and 3D printed to address the shortcomings of existing bone fixation devices, such as stress shielding and bone nonunion in the healing of fractured bones. Current bone plates/rods have constant and high stiffness. High initial stiffness prevents the micromotion of newly formed bone and results in poor bone healing.

Case Report: Trochlear Wedge Sulcoplasty, Tibial Tuberosity Transposition, and Lateral Imbrication for Correction of a Traumatic Patellar Luxation in a Miniature Companion Pig: A Case Report and Visual Description.

The objective of this case report was to describe successful surgical and post-operative management of a medial patellar luxation in a Vietnamese Potbellied Pig. A two-year old, castrated, Vietnamese Potbellied Pig presented to a veterinary teaching hospital for right pelvic limb lameness of 2 weeks duration. Upon physical examination a grade 3 patellar luxation was diagnosed on the right pelvic limb.

Comparative Stiffness of an Equine Distal Sesamoid Bone Fracture Model Stabilized with 3.5-mm versus 4.5-mm Cortical Bone Screws in Lag Fashion.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to to determine the comparative stiffness following repair of an axial sagittal fracture model in equine distal sesamoid bones using either a single 3.5-mm or 4.5-mm cortical bone screw placed in lag fashion.

Influence of plate type and placement on the immobilization of bilateral equine mandibular osteotomies: Ex vivo study.

Objective: To determine the influence of plate fixation (locking or dynamic compression) and the site of application (ventral [V] or ventrolateral [VL]) on the resistance to bending of transverse mandibular fractures.

Study Design: Ex vivo, simple randomized study.

Sample Population: Mandibles harvested from adult equine cadavers (n = 18).

Use of flexible sensor to characterize biomechanics of canine skin.

Background: Suture materials and techniques are frequently evaluated in ex vivo studies by comparing tensile strengths. However, the direct measurement techniques to obtain the tensile forces in canine skin are not available, and, therefore, the conditions suture lines undergo is unknown. A soft elastomeric capacitor is used to monitor deformation in the skin over time by sensing strain.

Application of tendon plating to manage failed calcaneal tendon repairs in a dog.

Objective: To report the application of a plate to treat a complicated calcaneal tendon rupture and the resulting outcome.

Study Design: Clinical case report.

Animals: A 3-year-old Labrador retriever.

Comparison of tensile strength among simple interrupted, cruciate, intradermal, and subdermal suture patterns for incision closure in ex vivo canine skin specimens.

OBJECTIVE To compare suture placement time, tension at skin separation and suture line failure, and mode of failure among 4 suture patterns. DESIGN Randomized trial. SAMPLE 60 skin specimens from the pelvic limbs of 30 purpose-bred Beagles.

Factors associated with recovery from paraplegia in dogs with loss of pain perception in the pelvic limbs following intervertebral disk herniation.

Objective: To investigate associations between recovery of locomotion and putative prognostic factors in dogs with loss of deep pain perception in the pelvic limbs caused by intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Animals: 78 client-owned dogs evaluated for IVDH that underwent spinal decompression surgery.

Ex vivo biomechanical comparison of V-LOC 180® absorbable wound closure device and standard polyglyconate suture for diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy in a canine model.

Objective: To compare 2-0 polyglyconate barbed suture (V-LOC™ 180 Absorbable Wound Closure Device, Covidien, Mansfield, MA) to standard 2-0 monofilament absorbable polyglyconate suture (Maxon™, Covidien) for maximum load to failure and failure mode when used to appose standardized defects in canine diaphragm muscle.

Study Design: Randomized, cadaveric ex vivo mechanical testing.

Sample Population: Canine cadaveric hemi-diaphragmatic specimens (n = 32 pairs).

Biomechanical testing of locking and nonlocking plates in the canine scapula.

Locking plates have been shown to offer improved fixation in fractures involving either osteoporotic bone or bone with lesser screw pullout strength, such as thin and flat bones. Fractures of the scapular body are one type of fracture where the screw pullout strength using conventional plate fixation may not be sufficient to overcome physiologic forces. The purpose of this study was to compare the pullout strengths of locking plates to conventional nonlocking plates in the canine scapula.

Perpendicular pull-out force of locking versus non-locking plates in thin cortical bone using a canine mandibular ramus model.

Objective: To compare the holding strength of a conventional plate-screw construct with a locking plate-screw construct in the thin cortical bone of the canine mandibular ramus.

Study Design: Mechanical study.

Animals: Paired cadaveric canine mandibles (n = 10 pairs).

Use of a four pin and methylmethacrylate fixation in L7 and the iliac body to stabilize lumbosacral fracture-luxations: a clinical and anatomic study.

Objectives: To describe the clinical outcome of a 4 pin lumbosacral fixation technique for lumbosacral fracture-luxations, and to refine placement technique for iliac pins based on canine cadaver studies.

Study Design: Retrospective and anatomic study.

Sample Population: Dogs (n=5) with lumbosacral fracture-luxations and 8 cadaveric canine pelvi.

Use of bone morphogenetic proteins for augmentation of bone regeneration.

A large body of preclinical and clinical data now documents that recombinant BMPs can be used for skeletal regeneration in humans and animals. Recombinant human BMP-2 and BMP-7 have been approved for use in human patients with long-bone fractures and nonunions and in patients undergoing lumbar fusion or various maxillofacial and dental regenerative procedures. These products have also been made available for veterinary use.