Objectives The main purpose of this study was to determine the reproducibility and accuracy of a three-dimensional (3D) bone model printed on a desktop 3D-printer based on fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology with polylactic acid (PLA) and the effect of autoclave sterilization on the printed models. Methods Computed tomographic images of the tibia were obtained from 10 feline cadavers, used to create a bone surface-rendering file and sent to the 3D printing software. Right and left tibias were each printed five times with the FDM desktop 3D printer using PLA plastic material. Plastic models and cadaveric bones were measured with a profile projector device at six predetermined landmarks. Plastic bones were then sterilized using an autoclave before being re-measured applying the same method. Analyses of printed model size reliability were conducted using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots. Results The ICC always showed an almost perfect agreement when comparing 3D-printed models issued from the same cadaveric bone. The ICC showed moderate agreement for one measurement and strong/perfect agreement for others when comparing a cadaveric bone with the corresponding 3D model. Concerning the comparison of the same 3D-printed model, before and after sterilization, ICC showed either strong or perfect agreement. Clinical Significance Rapid-prototyping with our FDM desktop 3D-printer using PLA was an accurate, a reproducible and a sterilization-compliant way to obtain 3D plastic models.

Objective: To report radiographic findings and complications after fracture repair with a new polyaxial locking plate system (PLS polyaxial locking system; Aesculap/B Braun, Tuttlingen, Germany) in dogs and cats. Study design: Retrospective case review from four veterinary practices. Sample population: Twenty-six dogs and 14 cats (40 long bone fractures). Methods: Medical and radiographic records of dogs and cats with long bone fractures treated with the PLS were reviewed. Cases were included when operative records were complete and included documentation of radiographic union or complications. Phone interviews of owners were performed for longterm follow-up. Ancillary methods of fracture fixation and associated complications were recorded. Results: Only two complications were recorded, one of which required a revision surgery. Radiographic follow-up was performed for all fractures. Radiographic union without complications was achieved in 38 of 40 (95%) fractures. Radiographic union was documented before 60 days in 19 of 40 (47.5%) fractures, between 61 and 90 days in 15 of 40 (37.5%) fractures, and after 90 days in six of 40 (15%) fractures. A functional union was observed at a mean time ± SD of 70.8 ± 38.9 days (range, 32-182). One or more ancillary fixation methods were used in 27 of 40 (67.5%) fractures. Conclusion: The PLS polyaxial locking system was often used with adjunct fixation in this series, and radiographically confirmed healing without complications was documented in most cases. Clinical significance: Use of the PLS can result in high success rates for fracture repair in dogs and cats, but ancillary fixation should be strongly considered.

Case summary A 5-year-old domestic shorthair neutered female cat was presented for a wound in the region of the subcutaneous ureteral bypass shunting port with externalisation of the device, 2 years after its initial positioning. The cat had had positive urine bacterial cultures over the previous year and a half without any clinical signs of urinary tract infection. Bacterial cultures of urine and the wound revealed the same bacteria, suggesting a complication caused by infected urine from the implanted system. The wound was successfully treated with surgery and at the time of writing, 3 months later, the cat is healthy with no evidence of recurrence. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, this is the first report of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass shunting port extrusion as a long-term major complication of the bacterial infection of the device.

Plate osteosynthesis should be performed for olecranon fracture repair if technically feasible.