VCOT September 2025 – Ortho Part 1: Supercutaneous Plating & 3D-Printed HIF Guides

In this Simini Small Animal Surgery Podcast episode, we continue our orthopedic coverage from the September 2025 issue of Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology (VCOT) by exploring a common surgical objective: maximizing stability while minimizing surgical trauma.One study evaluates an innovative fracture fixation strategy that combines the biological advantages of external skeletal fixation with the mechanical benefits of locking plate technology. The second investigates whether 3D-printed patient-specific guides can improve the accuracy and safety of transcondylar screw placement in dogs with humeral intracondylar fissures.In this episode:✅ İnal et al. — Evaluated supercutaneous locking plates (SLPs) for the management of non-articular radial, ulnar, and tibial fractures in dogs and cats. Applied externally above the skin using locking screws, SLPs achieved a median healing time of approximately 50 days, with most patients bearing weight within 1–2 days postoperatively. Although 24% of cases developed minor screw-track discharge, no implants required removal and all complications were managed conservatively. The findings suggest SLPs may provide a low-profile alternative to traditional external fixators while preserving fracture biology and minimizing soft tissue disruption. ✅ Kershaw et al. — Investigated the use of 3D-printed patient-specific guides (PSGs) for transcondylar screw placement in canine humeral intracondylar fissures. Using a novice surgeon model in paired cadaver limbs, PSGs produced significantly more accurate entry and exit points than traditional aiming devices. Most notably, three of seven screws placed with standard aiming devices would have violated the joint, whereas zero articular penetrations occurred with PSG-guided placement. The study highlights the potential for patient-specific technology to improve surgical precision and reduce catastrophic technical errors. Together, these studies demonstrate that advances in orthopedic surgery increasingly focus on working smarter rather than working bigger—using technology and biomechanics to achieve safer, more predictable outcomes.🎓 Journal Articles DiscussedInal et al. — Minimally Invasive Radial–Ulnar and Tibial Fracture Management with Supracutaneous Locking Plates in Dogs and CatsKershaw et al. — Patient-specific Guides Improve the Accuracy and Safety of Transcondylar Screw Placement—A Cadaveric Study in the Canine Humerus📚 From the September 2025 issue of VCOT🎁 Want to learn more about Simini Protect Lavage or request a sample?Learn More: www.simini.comRequest a Sample: https://www.simini.com/evaluation-kit