Simini Surgery Review: Small Animal Edition

Carl Damiani
  • 5.0 (2)
  • EDUCATION

 Welcome to the Simini Surgery Review: Small Animal Edition—your shortcut to staying sharp in small animal surgery. We break down the latest peer-reviewed studies into clear, time-saving episodes you can listen to on your commute, between cases, or while walking the dog. Focused, fast, and clinically relevant—this is how busy surgeons stay current without spending hours digging through journals. Produced by Simini, creators of Simini Protect Lavage—the non-antibiotic lavage designed to target surgical site risks like biofilms and resistant bacteria.

  1. 1D AGO

    Veterinary Surgery November 2025 – Ortho & Soft Tissue: Endoscopic TLLC & Feline Mediastinal Mass Resection

    In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we spotlight two minimally invasive surgical techniques from the November 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery. Whether you're decompressing spinal cords or resecting thoracic tumors, these papers prove that less invasive doesn't mean less effective—if you plan and execute with precision. We cover: ✅ Wolfe et al. — A randomized cadaver study evaluating an integrated endoscopic approach for thoracolumbar lateral corpectomy (TLLC) in dogs. Using a hybrid technique combining mini hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy, surgeons achieved median decompression depths of 74% of the vertebral canal. No rib head resection, zero traumatic rhizotomy, and improved access with angled patient positioning make this a serious alternative to open techniques ✅ Renier et al. — A multi-institutional retrospective on thoracoscopic resection of cranial mediastinal masses in 17 cats. All survived surgery with a median hospitalization of 2 days, but 35% required conversion, mostly due to tumors over 5 cm or strong adhesions. The study recommends a VATS-assisted fallback strategy using a mini incision for digital retraction—letting you stay minimally invasive while handling surgical surprises 🎓 Journal Articles Discussed: Wolf et al. — Integrated endoscopic thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy and lateral corpectomy in cadaver dogsRenier et al. — Thoracoscopic resection of cranial mediastinal masses: Retrospective study in 17 cats 📚 From the November 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample:  👉 www.simini.com 👉 Request a Sample

    11 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Veterinary Surgery November 2025 – Ortho Part 2: Bent Nails & Hybrid Plates in Tibial Fixation

    In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we wrap up November's orthopedic coverage with two studies focused on tibial alignment, implant planning, and real-world healing rates. These papers bring clarity to the impact of implant geometry and construct length on outcomes in fracture fixation. We cover: ✅ Ramsey et al. — A retrospective comparison of straight vs. bent interlocking nails (ILNs) for tibial fracture repair in dogs. The results are striking: bent nails restored near-anatomic alignment (TPA deviation ~1°) while straight ILNs caused an average of 5° of excess caudal slope. The takeaway? Pre-contouring isn’t just aesthetic—it significantly reduces malalignment without increasing complication rates Small Animal Vet Surge 2025 Nov…. ✅ Rehnblom et al. — A retrospective multicenter case series on 75 canine and feline fractures repaired with the Ortholine hybrid locking plate. The system achieved a 93.4% union rate with a 1.1% implant failure rate, despite wide variation in plate span. The study suggests that in radial and ulnar fractures, shorter spans (~40–50%) are acceptable with good reduction—reducing morbidity without compromising stability Small Animal Vet Surge 2025 Nov…. 🎓 Journal Articles Discussed: Ramsey et al. — Comparison of tibial alignment following bent or straight interlocking nail fixation for dogs with diaphyseal tibial fracturesRehnblom et al. — Open reduction and internal fixation of 75 small animal fractures treated with the OrthoLineTM fracture system 📚 From the November 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample:  👉 www.simini.com 👉 Request a Sample

    12 min

  3. 12/22/2025

    Veterinary Surgery November 2025 – Ortho Part 1: Feline Radius Exposure & Interlocking Nail Outcomes

    In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we kick off November’s orthopedic coverage with two studies that refine surgical access and fracture fixation in feline and canine patients. One clarifies your best exposure strategy for feline radial fractures, and the other brings big-data clarity to interlocking nail performance in long bone trauma. We cover: ✅ Bower et al. — An ex vivo cadaveric study comparing cranial medial vs. cranial lateral surgical approaches to the feline radius. The result? No statistically significant difference in surface exposure—with cranial lateral actually offering slightly more viewable area (4.13 cm² vs. 3.84 cm²). This confirms that the easier, safer, and nerve-sparing lateral approach is just as effective and far more efficient for positioning, especially when performing dual bone fixation (DBF) Small Animal Vet Surge 2025 Nov…. ✅ Perry et al. — A retrospective review of over 240 canine fractures stabilized with the ILOC interlocking nail. Complication rates, implant performance, and time to union were analyzed across a diverse orthopedic caseload. The study supports ILOC as a safe, versatile fixation option with excellent union rates and low implant-related complication frequency Small Animal Vet Surge 2025 Nov…. 🎓 Journal Articles Discussed: Bauer et al. — Comparison of exposure of the feline radial diaphysis by the craniomedial and craniolateral surgical approaches for repair of antebrachial fracturesPeral et al. — Outcomes of 243 dogs with traumatic fractures treated with the I-Lok interlocking nail 📚 From the November 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample:  👉 www.simini.com 👉 Request a Sample

    11 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Veterinary Surgery October 2025 – Soft Tissue Part 2: Feline Clip Closures & Barbed Suture Speed

    In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we highlight two studies from the October 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery—each focused on refining thoracic soft tissue closure techniques, particularly in space-limited or high-risk scenarios. We cover: ✅ Ritson et al. — An ex vivo feline study comparing bronchial stump closure methods in hilar lung lobectomy using linear staplers, pre-tied ligature loops (PLLs), and double shank titanium clips (DS clips). All three performed equivalently—even under 40 cm H₂O airway pressure, but the DS clips and PLLs offered major advantages in working space, maneuverability, and minimally invasive access, especially in cats under 4 kg. ✅ You et al. — An ex vivo canine study evaluating a knotless barbed suture system for total lung lobectomy versus traditional sutures and staplers. At normal and supraphysiologic pressures, the barbed suture was equally secure, and 3.4 minutes faster on average than hand suturing. For small patients, tight spaces, or VATS, this may offer both mechanical and procedural benefits. 🎓 Journal Articles Discussed: Ritson et al. — Ex vivo comparative evaluation of feline hilar lung lobectomy using linear stapler, pretied ligature loop, and double-shank titanium clipsYou et al. — Evaluation of a knotless barbed suture for canine total lung lobectomy: An ex vivo study 📚 From the October 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample:  👉 www.simini.com 👉 Request a Sample

    10 min

  5. 12/01/2025

    Veterinary Surgery October 2025 – Soft Tissue Part 1: Deep Node Risks & Cardioplegia for Mitral Valve Repair

    In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we explore two critical soft tissue studies from the October 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery—each one helping you weigh surgical risk versus reward in deep anatomical spaces or delicate cardiac procedures. We cover: ✅ Ciammaichella et al. — A multicenter retrospective study of over 130 lymphadenectomies across axillary, medial retropharyngeal, and iliosacral sites. The data showed overall complication rates were moderate (23%), but the iliosacral site carried a 41% risk—nearly double that of other locations. High-grade complications included wound dehiscence and infections requiring revision surgery, emphasizing the need for owner counseling, refined closure strategy, and potentially minimally invasive alternatives. ✅ Kurogochi et al. — A prospective randomized trial comparing modified Del Nido (MDN) cardioplegia with conventional St. Thomas solution in dogs undergoing mitral valve repair. Troponin levels (myocardial injury) were equivalent, but electrical recovery was six times faster in the MDN group (60 vs. 362 seconds). The trade-off? MDN required almost double the fluid volume, necessitating vigilant postop management to avoid overhydration. 🎓 Journal Articles Discussed: Ciammaichella et al. — Complications of medial retropharyngeal, axillary, and ilio-sacral lymphadenectomy in 127 dogs with malignant tumorsKurogochi et al. — Saline-based modified del Nido cardioplegia versus multidose St. Thomas cardioplegia in canine mitral valve repair: A randomized controlled trial 📚 From the October 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample:  👉 www.simini.com 👉 Request a Sample

    11 min

  6. 11/05/2025

    Veterinary Surgery October 2025 – Ortho Part 3: TPLO Fluoro Guidance & Internal Brace Placement

    In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we wrap up the October 2025 orthopedic series with two high-impact studies—each focused on improving TPLO outcomes through better intraoperative imaging and implant technique. Whether you're chasing cut precision or trying to tame rotational instability, these papers offer real-world guidance with strong clinical implications. We cover: ✅ Wang et al. — A prospective study of fluoroscopy-guided TPLO blade placement in 25 dogs. Using intraop C-arm to guide and verify blade trajectory, the team achieved a median post-op TPA of 3°, with all outcomes falling between 0–4.5°, a dramatic improvement over conventional variability (up to 13°). They also revealed that relying on D2-based pre-op planning can systematically underestimate osteotomy radius, reinforcing the role of real-time feedback during surgery. ✅ Wylie et al. — A retrospective study on internal brace augmentation in 46 stifles post-TPLO. Despite only 63% of femoral implants being accurately placed (especially poor with FASTak anchors), over 90% of dogs showed pivot shift resolution by 6 weeks. Interestingly, final rotational stability wasn’t linked to implant position—suggesting that early bracing may simply provide time for extra-articular fibrosis to stabilize the joint naturally. 🎓 Journal Articles Discussed: Wang et al. — Accuracy of fluoroscopy-guided osteotomy placement in TPLO: Postoperative tibial plateau angle and preoperative planning evaluationWylie et al. — Evaluation of femoral isometric placement accuracy of internal brace implants and its impact on stifle stability in the management of pivot shift phenomenon following TPLO 📚 From the October 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample:  👉 www.simini.com 👉 Request a Sample

    13 min

  7. 10/29/2025

    Veterinary Surgery October 2025 – Ortho Part 2: Predictive Modeling & Geometric Precision in Cruciate Surgery

    In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we continue our October 2025 orthopedic coverage by examining two forward-thinking studies on cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) surgery. One leverages machine learning to predict postoperative risk, and the other offers precise geometric modeling for TPLO alternatives. We cover: ✅ Low et al. — Development of the PROSPECT machine learning model, trained on 670 stifle cases to predict surgical and medical complications after TPLO and CCWO. The model achieved 92.3% accuracy for surgical complications and revealed that complex interactions—like surgeon + technique—were more predictive than any single risk factor. This opens the door for individualized risk scoring and targeted intraoperative interventions, including enhanced infection control strategies. ✅ Petchell et al. — A finite element modeling study evaluating a CORA-based CCWO technique (CCWO-CORA). Unlike older methods, this approach consistently delivered a post-op tibial plateau angle (TPA) of exactly 5.0°—regardless of breed or starting slope. By controlling the mechanical axis advancement (MAA) and wedge angle, the technique offers zero angular variability and preserved tibial length, with customizable MAA options to facilitate plating in steep-sloped breeds. 🎓 Journal Articles Discussed: Low et al. — Machine-learning prediction of postoperative complications after high tibial osteotomy for canine cranial cruciate ligament diseasePetchell et al. — An in silico comparison of a novel CORA-based cranial closing wedge ostectomy methodology with three other techniques 📚 From the October 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample:  👉 www.simini.com 👉 Request a Sample

    13 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    Veterinary Surgery October 2025 – Ortho Part 1: Stifle Opacity & TPLO Saw Guide Precision

    In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we explore two orthopedic articles from the October 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery. Both pieces offer practical insights into diagnostic clarity and intraoperative precision for common stifle procedures—helping you plan better and cut cleaner. We cover: ✅ Hoenecke et al. — A retrospective analysis of 57 stifles in dogs undergoing surgery for patellar luxation with intact CCLs. The study found 65% of stifles had increased soft tissue opacity on radiographs despite no CCL rupture, with links to body weight and OA, but not ligament failure. It challenges a core assumption in stifle interpretation. ✅ Jeong et al. — An ex vivo comparison of a 3D-printed contoured saw guide versus a conventional jig for TPLO. The saw guide cut angles 1.2° off perpendicular vs. 4.3° for jigs and reduced cortical scraping nearly eightfold—but didn’t improve final TPA, alignment, or surgical time. The real win? Increased control and reduced intraoperative risk. 🎓 Journal Articles Discussed: Hoenecke et al. — Increased radiographic stifle soft tissue opacity in dogs with patella luxationJeong et al. — Evaluation of a contoured saw guide for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs 📚 From the October 2025 issue of Veterinary Surgery🎁 Learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample:  👉 www.simini.com 👉 Request a Sample

    12 min
See All (30)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

 Welcome to the Simini Surgery Review: Small Animal Edition—your shortcut to staying sharp in small animal surgery. We break down the latest peer-reviewed studies into clear, time-saving episodes you can listen to on your commute, between cases, or while walking the dog. Focused, fast, and clinically relevant—this is how busy surgeons stay current without spending hours digging through journals. Produced by Simini, creators of Simini Protect Lavage—the non-antibiotic lavage designed to target surgical site risks like biofilms and resistant bacteria.

Information