Laparoscopic management of ORS in this cohort of dogs and cats was associated with minimal morbidity. Laparoscopic treatment of ORS in dogs and cats may be recommended for appropriately selected patients.

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 1.0 mm/s to failure, as determined by the formation of a 1 mm gap for initial failure and a 3 mm gap for ultimate failure. The mode of failure was also recorded.Results: Constructs prepared with hybrid and figure-8 patterns sustained over 2Â higher (p < .01) forces before gap formation compared to those prepared with a simple interrupted pattern. No difference was identified between tendons whose plate was secured with hybrid or figure-8 suture patterns. Mode of failure between groups did not differ. Conclusion:The figure-8 and hybrid patterns described herein improved the resistance to gap formation of plated tendons compared to an alternating simple interrupted pattern described previously. Clinical Significance: Figure-8 and hybrid patterns should be considered over simple interrupted patterns to improve resistance to gap formation in horses undergoing tendon plating. | INTRODUCTIONTendon injury requiring surgical correction occurs frequently in both dogs and horses and may arise from chronic overstretching of the tendon, acute trauma, or secondary to laceration or penetrating wound. In horses,

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. Methods Seventeen beagles with iatrogenic SIL underwent reduction and stabilization with 3.5‐mm screws. Hypodermic needles (14 gauge) and fluoroscopy were used to orient two Kirschner wires for temporary stabilization and to guide drilling of glide and pilot holes using cannulated drill bits. Duration of surgery and radiation exposure were recorded. Postoperative computed tomographic evaluation of screw position and angulation was performed. Results Average time for fixation was 15.85 minutes (range, 6.37–33.5). Cumulative radiation doses of 0.4 mrem for the dominant arm of the assistant and 0 mrem for the primary surgeon were recorded. The mean dorsoventral and craniocaudal screw angles were 0.68° ± 3.4° (range − 5.4° to 9.5°) and 1.9° ± 3.2° (range − 4.3° to 9.1°), respectively. Sixteen of the 17 dogs had 100% sacral screw purchase, with the remaining case achieving 93.4% purchase. Conclusion Fluoroscopy‐assisted percutaneous placement of 3.5‐mm cortical screws in lag fashion performed with 14‐gauge needles in conjunction with Kirschner wires and cannulated drill bits yielded repeatable accurate screw placement with low levels of ionizing radiation exposure to the surgical team. Clinical significance The described technique may be a viable method for minimally invasive osteosynthesis fixation of SIL with low levels of radiation exposure to the surgical team. These results provide evidence to support further evaluation of radiation exposure in clinical cases and can aid in study design and sample size determination.

ObjectiveTo describe a minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) femoral capital physeal fracture (FCPF) repair technique using multiple smooth Steinmann pins in four calves.Study designCase series.AnimalFour calves (&lt; 60 days of age).MethodsMedical records at a single referral hospital were searched for calves that had minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) femoral capital physeal fracture (FCPF) repair performed using multiple Steinmann pins between 2020 and 2021. Calves receiving alternative repair, euthanasia without repair, or &gt; 60 days of age were excluded. Medical records were reviewed together the following information: inciting FCPF cause, patient signalment, clinical sign duration pre-admission, history of dystocia, and any pre-admission treatment. Preoperative parameters collected included packed cell volume (PCV), serum total solids (TS), additional bloodwork when available, peripheral blood glucose, antimicrobial therapy, and analgesic medications. Preoperative coxofemoral radiographic images of all calves were obtained.Results/outcomeFour calves were presented with severe hind limb lameness from varying etiologies. FCPF was diagnosed in all calves via radiograph. All FCPFs were repaired with an MIO repair technique using multiple Steinmann pins. Intraoperative fracture reduction and fixation were deemed appropriate by the attending surgeon with the use of fluoroscopy. Postoperatively, all calves retained normal weight bearing and were ambulating. One calf died postoperatively due to an unrelated comorbidity (severe bronchopneumonia and hyperkalemia). The three remaining calves survived to hospital discharge and were ambulating normally with an adequate range of motion at the time of discharge. Long-term follow-up reports were available for two cases, which revealed long-term survival at 210- and 146-days. Owners reported good ambulation, and one of the calves was placed in the show ring and was performing. However, one calf was lost to long-term follow-up.ConclusionMIO FCPF repair with multiple Steinmann pins, previously described in small animal species, can be implemented for FCPF repair in young calves.Clinical impactThis case series provides a foundation for minimally invasive osteosynthesis technique translation to large animal juveniles and reports an alternative MIO technique for capital physeal closed fracture repair in calves.

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). Methods Radiographs and medical records of dogs with ilial fractures presented to Iowa State University between 2003 and 2019 were reviewed. After fracture reduction, fractures were fixed with a locking plate system (LPS) or non‐locking plate system (NLS). Perioperative, long‐term complications, and follow‐up data were recorded. The frequency of implant failure and pelvic collapse were compared using a logistic and linear regression analysis, respectively. Where the univariate test was statistically significant, a multivariate analysis across categories was performed to identify statistically different categories. Results LPS and NLS implants were used in 25/63 and 38/63 hemipelves, respectively. Median follow‐up time was 8 weeks (3–624 weeks). Implant failure occurred in 18/63 (29%) of fracture repairs, consisting of 17 with NLS and 1 with LPS. Revision surgery was recommended in five cases of implant failure, all with NLS. The probability of implant failure was higher when fractures were fixed with NLS (p = .0056). All other variables evaluated did not seem to influence outcome measures. Conclusion The variable with the most influence on the outcomes of dogs treated for ilial fractures consisted of the fixation method (NLS vs. LPS). Fractures repaired with NLS were nearly 20 times more likely to fail than those repaired with LPS. Clinical Relevance Surgeons should consider repairing ilial body fractures in dogs with LPS to reduce the risk of short‐term implant failure.