…from the 2008 American College of Veterinary Surgeons conference as summarized in the 2/09 issue of “Pulse” from the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association:
* Effect of debridement (removal) of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs having early partial tears of the CCL at the time of TPLO: No significant difference. Study admitted that the group was small, only short term outcome was reported, and that the meniscus is difficult to evaluate if the CCL is not taken out (something that is usually done at the time of the arthroscopic surgery).
* Accuracy of MRI in diagnosing meniscal tears in CCL cases: poor diagnostic accuracy
* Biomechanical suture fixation comparison (for extraarticular/extracapsular stabilization of the CCL) between standard nylon lines and newer polyethylene materials: The newer materials offer increased stiffness and maximal load. * Effect of medical meniscal release following TPLO. The release (removal) is often performed at the time of TPLO to avoid future problems. This study suggests that the release is not necessary to prevent post-op menisical injury in CCL dogs following TPLO. “Next year someone will counter this claim, and coffee will be good for you once again.” ITA! 🙂
* Evaluation of leg weraps for the prevention of bacterial…: sterile vet wrap alone may not be a sufficient barrier to bacterial strike-through in the surgical setting.

I do not know which particular vet authored this tongue-in-cheek piece but I love this: “Every year similar debates are conducted which address whether to release the meniscus or not, which stifle surgery is .0025% better than other techniques, and who has the best fracture repair method.”
Having been to the conference in years past, I concur.