Long-term outcome of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy using an antimicrobial silver-based coated plate in dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term outcome using the BioMedtrix™ TPLO Curve® plate in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CrCLd) treated by tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 323, 337 stifles). METHODS: Medical records were searched for dogs presented with CrCLd and treated by TPLO with the BioMedtrix™ TPLO Curve® plate for 3.5 mm screws between March 2018 and December 2020. Tibial plateau angles (TPA) were measured on preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up radiographs. Changes in TPA between postoperative and follow-up radiographs (ModTPA) were calculated. Radiographic bone healing was scored. Complications were evaluated. Surgical site infections (SSI) were compared to a control group of dogs treated with the Synthes™ TPLO plate between January and December 2017. Owners of both groups were contacted by telephone at least 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The BioMedtrix™ group was composed of 237 dogs (248 stifles), the control group was composed of 86 dogs (89 stifles). In the BioMedtrix™ group, radiographic follow-up was performed at a median of 48 days. Average ModTPA was 1.2°. Bone healing was graded as complete, good, poor, and none in 18%, 62%, 20%, and 0%, respectively. At a median of 786 days postoperatively, minor and major postoperative complications were observed in 6 (2.4%) and 32 (12.9%) cases in this group, respectively. During the first year following the surgery, 23 (9.3%) and 12 (13.5%) cases suffered a SSI, of which 12 (4.8%) and 7 (7.9%) had their implant explanted in the BioMedtrix™ group and the control group, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups for SSI and implant explantations (p = 0.31 and p = 0.29, respectively). CONCLUSION: The BioMedtrix™ TPLO Curve® plate provided a reliable fixation system for osteotomy healing after TPLO. Bone healing and long-term complication rates were similar to previous studies using other implants. SSI rates were similar between the BioMedtrix™ group and the control group. The antimicrobial HyProtect® coating of the plate did not reduce SSI in this study. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The BioMedtrix™ TPLO Curve® plate can be safely used for TPLO. The value of the antimicrobial HyProtect® coating of the plate may be questioned, as SSI rate was not lower in this study compared to the control group or previous reports.

Predictors of comorbidities and mortality in cats with pelvic fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and evaluate risk factors for comorbidities and death of cats with pelvic fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case study. ANIMALS: Cats (n = 280). METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for cats in which pelvic fractures had been diagnosed (January 2003 to November 2016). Retrieved data included signalment, mechanism of injury, clinical findings, diagnostic imaging investigations, type and number of concurrent injuries based on anatomical location, type of therapy, and survival. Pelvic fractures were classified according to location and severity. Descriptive statistics were performed, and logistic regression models were constructed to examine associations between risk factors and outcome. RESULTS: Cases consisted of 280 cats with no (9%), unilateral (43%), and bilateral (48%) involvement of the weight-bearing axis. Sacral fractures were found in 12% of cats. Surgical treatment and mortality rates increased progressively with the severity of the pelvic fractures (P < .001). Mean number of concurrent body regions injured was 2.4 ± 1.2 and was associated with mortality (P < .01). Twenty percent of cats did not survive to discharge. Cats with neurologic injuries were more likely not to survive (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Concurrent injuries to at least one body region, especially the abdomen and thorax, were observed in cats sustaining pelvic fractures. Mortality was associated with increased severity of the fractures, neurologic injuries, and increased number of concurrent injuries. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Concurrent injuries are common in cats with pelvic fractures, and comorbidities may be associated with mortality.

Gastric dilatation and volvulus in a 5-month-old Bernese mountain dog.

A 5-month-old Bernese mountain dog was presented for unproductive vomitus and abdominal distension. A gastric dilatation and volvulus was diagnosed. The dog underwent gastric derotation and incisional gastropexy. No intra- or post-operative complications occurred. Eight months following surgery, the dog was in excellent physical condition with no recurrence of clinical episodes of gastric dilatation. To the authors' knowledge, gastric dilatation and volvulus has not been previously reported in a puppy. This report underlines the importance of considering a prophylactic gastropexy in juvenile dogs with a known breed predisposition for gastric dilatation and volvulus.

Syndrome de dilatation torsion de l'estomac chez un Bouviers Bernois de 5 mois. Un Bouviers Bernois de 5 mois a été présenté pour des efforts de vomissements improductifs associés à une dilatation abdominale. Un syndrome de dilatation torsion de l'estomac a été diagnostiqué. Une dérotation gastrique et une gastropexie incisionnelle ont été réalisées. Aucune complication per- ou postopératoire n'est survenue. Huit mois après l'intervention chirurgicale, le chien présente un excellent état général sans récidive d'épisodes cliniques de dilatation gastrique. Il s'agit de la première description d'un syndrome de dilatation torsion de l'estomac chez un chiot. Ce cas souligne l'importance de considérer une gastropexie prophylactique précoce chez les chiens jeunes avec une prédisposition connue pour une dilatation torsion de l'estomac.(Traduit par les auteurs).