Veterinary Vertex
Veterinary Vertex
AVMA Journals
Taper vs. Cutting Needles for TPLO Closures: What Does the Evidence Say?
18 minutes Posted Oct 17, 2025 at 5:00 am.
Sponsor Message: Canine Nutrition
Meet the Hosts and Guest
Josh’s Path into Research
Why Needle Choice Matters
Study Design and Definitions
Personal Needle Preferences
Key Takeaways for Surgeons
Applying Evidence Mindfully
Hard‑Won Surgical Lessons
Future Research and Metrics
Bias, Blinding, Surprising Findings
Practical Advice for Vets and Clients
Fun Facts and Lighthearted Close
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Send us Fan Mail Ever notice how the smallest habits in surgery are the hardest to justify with data? We dig into one of those everyday choices—taper vs. reverse cutting needles for intradermal closure after TPLO—and unpack what the evidence actually says about early incisional healing, complication rates, and the subtle differences that might matter at the 18–24 hour mark. With surgeon-researcher Josh Becker, we trace the path from hunches and mentor preferences to a pragmatic study design t...