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Radiographic outcome and complications of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy stabilized with an anatomically contoured locking bone plate
Author(s) -
Kowaleski Michael P.,
Boudrieau Randy J.,
Beale Brian S.,
Piras Alessandro,
Hulse Donald,
Johnson Kenneth A.
Publication year - 2013
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.2013.12048.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiography , surgery , cruciate ligament , osteotomy , complication , anterior cruciate ligament
Objective To evaluate the short‐term clinical performance of an anatomically pre‐contoured, locking plate in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) disease. Study Design Prospective, multi‐center clinical study. Animals Dogs (n = 56) undergoing TPLO. Methods Signalment and operative data were recorded. Preoperative, postoperative, and follow‐up tibial plateau angle (TPA) were measured from radiographic images. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded; the latter were categorized as minor if additional surgery was not necessary, and major if surgery was needed to resolve the complication. Bone healing was scored and change in tibial plateau angle (TPA CH ) between postoperative and follow up radiographic images was calculated. Results Mean (±SD) preoperative TPA was 28.6 ± 3.8°, and mean postoperative TPA was 4.8 ± 1.9°. Four intraoperative complications (7.1%) including 2 cases of intra‐articular screw placement, 3 minor postoperative complications (5.4%), and no major or catastrophic postoperative complications occurred. Median bone healing grade was 4/4 (excellent union >75% healing). Mean TPA CH was 0.15 ± 1.32°. Conclusions Use of this anatomically contoured, locking TPLO plate by experienced surgeons is associated with accurate tibial plateau leveling, reliably excellent bone union at follow‐up exam, minimal TPA CH , and a lower complication rate than previously reported. Confining contouring to the distal shaft of the plate ensures there is precise apposition to the tibial diaphysis and mitigates the risk of intra‐articular screw placement.