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Intraosseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis ( ITAP ) for Limb Salvage in 4 Dogs
Author(s) -
Fitzpatrick Noel,
Smith Thomas J.,
Pendegrass Catherine J.,
Yeadon Russell,
Ring Michael,
Goodship Allen E.,
Blunn Gordon W.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2011.00891.x
Subject(s) - medicine , amputation , prosthesis , limb amputation , surgery
Objective To report clinical application of intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis ( ITAP ) for limb salvage. Study Design Retrospective case series. Sample Population Client owned dogs with malignant neoplasia of the distal aspect of the limb. Method Distal limb amputation allowed press‐fit insertion of the ITAP into the radius ( n = 3) or tibia (1). Remaining soft tissues including skin were attached directly to the ITAP . Limb stump and ITAP were protected by bandaging (1) or external skeletal fixation (3) for 5–6 weeks before exoprosthesis attachment. Measures of outcome included subjective assessments of limb function by owners and veterinarians, radiographic (4) and histologic (1) examination. Results Dermal integration with the ITAP was achieved by 3 weeks and dogs were walking in a pain‐free manner by 8 weeks. One dog was administered adjunctive carboplatin chemotherapy. No evidence of local tumor recurrence occurred. In 1 dog, ITAP fracture occurred at 10 weeks and was successfully managed by ITAP replacement. Three dogs were euthanatized because of confirmed or assumed metastatic disease at 8, 12, and 17 months. Histologic examination of the ITAP ‐limb interface at 1 year documented osseous and dermal integration. Conclusion Implantation of ITAP to the distal limb of dogs is feasible and can result in favorable functional outcomes. Biological integration of osseous and dermal tissues with ITAP is reliable and robust.