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Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) performed via a lateral approach as a means of stabilising diaphyseal humeral fractures in dogs and cats. Materials and Methods: Clinical data including surgical technique and implants utilised were recorded. Post-operative humeral length and alignment were compared to the intact contralateral humerus. Post-operative complications, time to union and functional outcomes were recorded. Results: Fractures sustained by seven dogs and four cats were included. A plate-rod construct was used in all fractures. The mean ± SD absolute discrepancies in frontal and sagittal plane alignment were 1.9° ± 1.3° and 4.3° ± 1.5°, respectively. The mean ± SD relative discrepancy in humeral length was 2.7% ± 3.9%. Post-operative complications occurred in four animals, with three of these animals requiring revision procedures. Time to union, as assessed via serial radiographs, was available in six animals; three of these animals had uncomplicated fracture healing, with a mean ± SD time to union of 82 ± 49 days. The remaining three animals, which all underwent revision procedures, had a mean ± SD time to union of 185 ± 93 days. Clinical significance: This case series documents that MIPO performed via a lateral approach consistently yielded acceptable post-operative reduction and alignment of diaphyseal humeral fractures, ascribed in part to the physiologic positioning of the fractured limb during surgery. Complications occurred most frequently in open fractures, suggesting that MIPO may not mitigate risks inherent to such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study evaluated the proficiency in executing closed, fluoroscopic‐assisted reduction of unicondylar humeral fractures. The following were hypothesised: experienced surgeons would be highly successful in performing closed reduction; body weight, time to surgery and surgeon experience would influence the reduction method; and the reduction method would not affect technical aspects of the repair. Methods: All unicondylar humeral fractures stabilised between January 2007 and January 2017 were reviewed. Signalment and time to surgery, experience of the attending surgeon, and the initial and definitive reduction methods were recorded. Initial and subsequent postoperative radiographs were used to assess fracture reduction, implant placement and complications. Univariate polychotomous logistic regressions, Fisher’s exact test, Kruskal‐Wallis rank sums non‐parametric test or equivalence tests were used to compare parameters evaluated based on the approach employed (P < 0.05 significant). Results: A total of 36 dogs with 37 fractures were identified (median weight: 5.4 kg; median time to surgery: 3 days). Of these, 11 of 15 attempted closed reductions were successful. Successful closed reductions had shorter times to surgery than limited open or open reductions (P = 0.009). Age, weight and surgeon experience did not influence the definitive reduction method. Technical aspects of reduction and stabilisation were similar among the reduction methods. Surgery times were shorter for closed reductions (P = 0.034). Of the fractures, 75% healed without complications and 85% had excellent long‐term function. Conclusion: The results suggested that closed, fluoroscopic‐assisted reduction is a proficient (73% successful) and efficient (shorter surgery times with comparable technical results compared with other limited open and open reduction) means of stabilising acute unicondylar humeral fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CASE REPORT A 10-year-old spayed female French Bulldog was presented with a 4-month history of progressive left thoracic limb lameness associated with the development of a firm mass located over the craniomedial aspect of the distal radius. The 3 × 3 cm mass was firm, sessile and located just proximal to the left antebrachiocarpal joint. Surgical debridement of the proliferative fibrous tissue, including partial excision of the extensor retinaculum, resolved the dog’s lameness. Histopathological examination of the excised tissues revealed proliferative fibrosis engulfing the extensor retinaculum with mild inflammation and synovial hyperplasia. The dog remained sound on the limb for 10 months following surgery, despite progression of degenerative joint disease in the left carpus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade extracellular proteins as part of a variety of physiological processes, and their inhibitors have been implicated in the dental caries process. Here we investigated 28 genetic variants spanning the MMP10, MMP14, and MMP16 genes to detect association with dental caries experience in 13 age- and race-stratified (n=3,587) samples from 6 parent studies. Analyses were performed separately for each sample, and results were combined across samples by meta-analysis. Two SNPs (rs2046315 and rs10429371) upstream of MMP16 were significantly associated with caries in an individual sample of white adults and via meta-analysis across 8 adult samples after gene-wise adjustment for multiple comparisons. Noteworthy is SNP rs2046315 (p=8.14×10-8) association with caries in white adults. This SNP was originally nominated in a genome-wide-association study (GWAS) of dental caries in a sample of white adults and yielded associations in a subsequent GWAS of surface level caries in white adults as well. Therefore, in our study, we were able to recapture the association between rs2046315 and dental caries in white adults. Although we did not strengthen evidence that MMPs 10, 14, and 16 influence caries risk, MMP16 is still a likely candidate gene to pursue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which described how circular external skeletal fixation was used to stabilize the metacarpal or metatarsal fractures in dogs. The technique was utilized on three dogs, all of which developed drainage tracts from the fixator wire. Fixators are recommended because they provide stable fixation, could be applied in a minimally invasive way, and enables removal of all implants once the fractures have healed.

Repair of a Salter-Harris type IV dicondylar humeral fracture was performed on a 15-week-old pitbull terrier. Interfragmentary compression of the intracondylar component of the fracture was achieved with a transilial rod and locking nuts (Trans-ilial Rod; IMEX™ Veterinary, Inc.). The transilial rod was articulated with a modified type I external fixator which functioned as adjunctive stabilisation for the supracondylar component of the fracture. Fracture healing was confirmed radiographically five weeks following surgery. The dog had no appreciable lameness when examined 12 months after fracture repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-month-old castrated male Saint Bernard was evaluated for bilateral hind limb lameness. Lameness was ascribed to bilateral metatarsal rotational abnormalities on the basis of the physical examination and radiographic evaluations. Staged, bilateral deformity correction and tarsometatarsal arthrodeses were performed using circular external skeletal fixators. The dog's gait improved following surgery and the fixators were removed 3 (left hind paw) and 4 (right hind paw) months following surgery. Twenty months after the initial surgery, the owner reported that the dog was walking well without apparent lameness. Previous reports suggest that metatarsal rotation is untreatable; however, our results suggest that surgical correction of this deformity can substantially improve limb function in dogs affected with metatarsal rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]