Veterinary Surgery Podcast

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.

I was lucky enough to attend the AVMA Convention 2026 in Anaheim, California, a city known for a few things, and yes, Disney is one of them (though I'll admit I never made it past the parking lot). One of the things I got to do there was host a full day dedicated to podcasts: Veterinary Podcast Day, the first of its kind. It was a joy to bring together so many voices in our profession who are using this format to teach, connect, and just talk shop in a more human way. The Veterinary Surgery Podcast was one of the shows highlighted that day, and I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Ken Gorczyca for a conversation about end of life care, a topic that doesn't get nearly enough airtime in veterinary surgery circles, but touches every single one of us in practice. It was honest, a little heavy, and ultimately a conversation I think a lot of people needed to hear. You can find the video episode here: https://vimeo.com/1209703458/ff9d619656