Consistent restoration of alignment was accomplished using MIPO techniques. Furthermore, MIPO appeared to yield faster healing times and lower complication rates than those reported with conventional plate osteosynthesis.

Four Chinese shar pei littermate puppies were presented for vomiting, regurgitation, hypersalivation, and poor growth. Diagnosis of hiatal hernia was made for each of the four dogs based on survey radiographs and barium esophagram studies. All dogs initially underwent medical therapy, to which only one dog responded. All dogs underwent surgical treatment, which included manual hernia reduction followed by phrenoplasty, esophagopexy, and left incisional gastropexy, 5 to 40 days following initiation of medical therapy. The three surgical techniques described eliminated the need to enter the pleural cavity and offered excellent long-term results with no recurrence of clinical signs following surgery.

Earlier functional recovery, callus strength and remodeling suggest that the AS-ILN provides a postoperative biomechanical environment more conducive to bone healing than a comparable standard ILN.

Objective: To describe and prospectively report outcomes associated with a novel minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique for the treatment of humeral fractures in dogs and cats. Study design: Prospective clinical case series. Animals: Eleven dogs and 4 cats with traumatic nonarticular humeral fractures. Methods: Dogs and cats that presented with traumatic humeral fractures were enrolled in the study. After closed reduction, the fracture was stabilized by using a plate-rod combination applied via remote medial incisions. Postoperative alignment in the frontal and sagittal planes was statistically compared with the contralateral limbs. Time to clinical union and complications were also recorded. Results: Eleven dogs and 4 cats were included in this study. Body weight ranged from 4.5 to 33.6 kg in dogs and from 2.2 to 3.6 kg in cats. A veterinary cuttable plate (6/11 dogs and 3/4 cats) or locking compression plate was used in a plate-rod configuration (11/11 dogs and 2/4 cats) or alone (2/4 cats). Rod-to-medullarycavity ratio was 30%. Plate-span ratio was 5.8 (range, 2-13.5). No significant differences were found in frontal or sagittal plane alignment. Healing time in cases that completed on-time follow-up (12/15) was 36 ± 14 days (range, 20-69). No major complications were recorded. Conclusion: The reported technique was associated with good outcomes in a large variety of fracture configurations and animal sizes, with no complications. Clinical significance: This report provides evidence that MIPO is a compelling alternative to open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of various humeral fractures.

Objective: To describe a novel Sacroiliac Luxation Instrument System (SILIS TM ) and its application in minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO) of sacroiliac luxations/fractures (SIL/F). The SILIS was designed to provide stable SIL/F reduction and accurate sacral screw placement while reducing personnel exposure to ionizing radiation during intraoperative fluoroscopy.Study design: Descriptive, proof of concept cadaveric study. Methods:A right SIL and a left SIL/F were created on a Labrador Retriever that had died of natural causes. Bilateral sacroiliac lag screw fixation was performed under fluoroscopic guidance with the SILIS, which consists of dedicated reduction and fixation instruments rigidly linked to table-bound 6-axis arms.Results: Throughout surgery, the SILIS facilitated and maintained stable reduction and allowed accurate placement of a custom designed drill guide over the sacral body without the surgeon's manual holding of any reduction or fixation instruments. The surgical team was therefore able to step away from the C-arm when acquiring fluoroscopic images, thus reducing exposure to radiation. Dorsoventral and craniocaudal screw deviation from an ideal trajectory ranged from 0.98 to 3.88. Both screws were fully located within the sacral body. Conclusion:The SILIS addresses limitations associated with MIO of SIL/F, including maintenance of reduction throughout surgery along with reliable and accurate sacral screw placement. Distance from the X-ray source is the most effective protection against radiation. Use of the SILIS allows the surgical team to move away from the C-arm during fluoroscopy, thereby reducing personnel exposure to dangerous direct and back-scattered ionizing radiation.