Objectives To investigate the effect of breed as a risk factor associated with humeral condylar fracture in skeletally immature dogs in the UK. Materials and Methods Retrospective study of dogs under 12 months of age that were presented with humeral condylar fracture to three specialist referral centres between 2015 and 2018. Data retrieved from medical records included breed, age, gender, neuter status, affected limb, fracture configuration and aetiology of the fracture. Breed population percentages were compared with those recorded by the UK Kennel Club. Results Of the 115 dogs with 118 fractures, French bulldogs (41%) and English springer spaniels (15%) were overrepresented: humeral condylar fractures were more commonly diagnosed in French bulldogs (odds ratio = 5.86) and English springer spaniels (odds ratio = 5.66) compared with mixed‐breed dogs. Lateral condylar fractures occurred in 70% of cases, with medial condylar fractures and Y/T fractures accounting for 9% and 21%, respectively. Median age at the time of fracture was 4 months (range 2 to 10 months). Clinical Significance French bulldogs and English springer spaniels were identified as being at potentially increased risk of humeral condylar fracture in skeletally immature dogs.

Objective To report the incidence of medial epicondylar fissure fracture (MEFF) after medial‐to‐lateral transcondylar screw placement in dogs with humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF) and to identify risk factors for MEFF. Study design Retrospective study. Sample population Seventy‐four client‐owned dogs (88 elbows). Methods Medical records of dogs surgically treated for HIF, and postoperative imaging studies were reviewed for demographics, fracture characteristics, and repair techniques. The width of the transcondylar screw was expressed relative to the height of the condyle. Screw angle and degree of countersinking were recorded. Information from case records and follow‐up radiographs were used to identify complications. Results Medial epicondylar fissure fracture was identified in 10 elbows (11.4%) following medial‐to‐lateral transcondylar screw placement: 4 cases were detected intraoperatively, 2 on immediate postoperative radiographs, 1 during routine radiographic follow up, and 3 when radiographs were reviewed for this study. A larger relative screw size was found to increase the risk of MEFF (P = .004, OR = 1.5). Fifteen additional complications were identified in 13/80 elbows at a median of 6 weeks postoperatively (range 1–56 weeks). Screw loosening was the most frequent complication (n = 9) and was the only complication in dogs with MEFF (n = 3); MEFF tended to increase the risk of perioperative screw loosening (P = .06). Conclusion Medial epicondylar fissure fracture occurred in 10/88 elbows treated for HIF and was more common in elbows treated with a larger screw size relative to the height of the condyle. Clinical significance Placing transcondylar screws with a diameter inferior to 41% of the height of the condyle is recommended to avoid MEFF. Medial epicondylar fissure fracture appears to have a low clinical significance in the perioperative period, although its effect on long‐term outcome remains unknown.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK § Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, Hampshire SO21 2LL, UK 1 Corresponding author email: barney.dean@scvetspecialists.co.uk Objectives: To report surgical technique, intra-and post-operative complications, and short-and long-term outcome following canine hepatobiliary surgery in which exposure of intra-abdominal hepatobiliary lesions was aided by diaphragmotomy. Materials and MethOds: Clinical records from four multi-disciplinary UK-based small animal referral hospitals were retrospectively reviewed for dogs in which diaphragmotomy was performed between January 2014 and May 2019. Signalment, diagnosis, surgery performed, diaphragmotomy technique, management of diaphragmotomy and pneumothorax, intra-and post-operative complications, short-term outcome and long-term outcome were recorded.results: Thirty-one cases were identified. The most common hepatobiliary surgeries performed alongside diaphragmotomy were single hepatic lobectomy (14/31) and cholecystectomy (11/31).The most common diagnoses were hepatocellular carcinoma (10/31), gall bladder mucocoele (7/31) and hepatic nodular hyperplasia (4/31). Peri-operative mortality rate was 9.7% (3/31 cases) though none of these deaths were considered attributable to diaphragmotomy. Post-operative complications were encountered in 67.9% (19/28) cases that survived the peri-operative period, of which 25.0% (7/28) suffered complications that were considered attributable or likely attributable to diaphragmotomy. These seven complications resolved following non-surgical intervention.Follow-up was available for 26 of 28 patients that survived to discharge at a median of 4-months (range 10 days to 24 months) following surgery and revealed no evidence of complications related to diaphragmotomy.clinical significance: Diaphragmotomy appears safe and increases abdominal exposure of hepatobiliary lesions. The benefit of improved exposure must be carefully weighed up against the risks inherent in inducing pneumothorax.

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