Veterinary Surgery Podcast

This episode of the Vet Surgery Podcast hosted by Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn is featuring Dr. Elizabeth Maxwell (Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology, University of Florida) and Dr. Federico Vilaplana Grosso (Associate Professor in Diagnostic Imaging, University of Florida), who co-authored a recent JAVMA article.
Topic: Differentiating 360° GDV from Simple Gastric Dilatation The discussion centered on the caudal esophageal "twist sign" — a funnel-shaped appearance in the lower esophagus that helps identify 360-degree gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), which is notoriously difficult to distinguish from regular gastric dilatation on radiographs.
Key findings from the study: The research compared 29 dogs with 360° GDV to 38 dogs with simple gastric dilatation. The twist sign was present in all dogs with esophageal dilation, except when the esophagus had been decompressed by tube placement. Unlike typical 180° GDV cases (which show classic signs like abnormal pylorus positioning), 360° twists return the stomach to its normal anatomic position, making radiographic diagnosis much harder. 
Clinical perspectives: Dr. Maxwell noted that unsuccessful oral gastric tubing and endoscopy attempts were more common in 360° cases. Dr Vilaplana Grosso shared that the funnel sign was not part of his standard diagnostic approach before collaborating with Dr. Maxwell. The group discussed differing institutional practices on whether to image first or decompress first in emergency GDV situations.

In this episode of the Veterinary Surgery Podcast, Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn sits down with repeat guest Dr. Sarah Boston, a veterinary cancer surgeon, for a wide-ranging conversation. They start with recent literature on staphylectomy techniques before turning to the contentious topic of continued French Bulldog breeding given the breed's well-documented health complications. Dr. Boston walks through her path into veterinary medicine, from deciding on the career at age six to finally landing a surgical residency on her third attempt. The discussion then moves into her own research contributions: a new diaphragmatic hernia repair technique she calls the "BostonPexy," which uses a kidney plug method, and a combined-approach mandibulectomy technique developed for large dogs. The episode closes with Dr. Boston naming the veterinary surgery papers that shaped her thinking most, citing Duncan Lascelles' work on maxillectomy approaches and Charles Koontz's research on vaccine-associated sarcomas.

We are not done talking soft palate issues! As a follow up from last week I am discussing the folded flap versus traditional staphylectomy technique for treating brachycephalic airway syndrome in dogs with Dr. Bryden Stanley. Bryden shared her experience using folded flaps when palate thickness exceeds 1.2-1.5 centimeters on CT scans, particularly for patients who haven't responded to traditional staphylectomy. She emphasized the technique requires a robust suture pattern using interrupted 2.0 and 3.0 monocryl sutures and noted the learning curve involved. Jolle mentioned recent studies showing no significant difference between the two techniques, but Bryden argued the literature remains controversial and individual patient factors are crucial in determining the best approach. They discussed how variations in technique and patient selection could explain conflicting results in the current research.

In this episode of the Veterinary Surgery Podcast, Dr. Jolle Kirpenstein interviewed Dr. Ameet Singh about a recently published article in JAVMA comparing folded flap palatoplasty (FPP) and traditional staphylectomy for soft palate surgery in French Bulldogs with BOAS. Dr. Singh summarized the study’s main finding that both techniques resulted in similar positive clinical outcomes, with the key being to perform either technique aggressively. They discussed the study’s methods, including CT measurements and exercise tolerance testing, and acknowledged limitations such as small sample size and challenges with follow-up. Dr. Singh described the surgical techniques, potential complications, and the importance of addressing multiple components of BOAS during surgery. They also touched on the popularity of brachycephalic breeds, personal experiences, and the value of the study for clinical practice.

This lecture, delivered by DrJolle, reviews a JAVMA article from April 2026 titled "Ureteroneocystostomy as a Treatment for Benign Ureteral Obstruction and Ectopic Ureter in Cats: Thirty-Seven Cases." The retrospective study of 37 cases from the Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania evaluates outcomes and complications of ureteroneocystostomy. Findings indicate this surgery is a viable treatment for benign ureteral obstructions and extramural ectopic ureters in cats, with a long median survival time (1980 days) and a relatively low complication rate compared to alternatives such as subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) devices or stents. Preoperative azotemia (elevated BUN, creatinine, and phosphorus) was a significant risk factor for increased 30-day mortality. Ureteral stents, when used, were commonly associated with long-term complications necessitating removal.