Treatment of acetabular fractures in cats and dogs with locking veterinary acetabular plates

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the postoperative outcomes of using locking acetabular plates and locking reconstruction plates for the stabilization of acetabular fractures in cats and dogs. The study analyzed intraoperative and postoperative data from feline and canine patients diagnosed with acetabular fractures and treated at Kırıkkale University Veterinary Faculty Research and Practice Hospital. Variables evaluated included fracture location, degree of displacement, severity of lameness, coexisting orthopedic conditions, neurologic deficits, interval between injury and surgery, type of implant utilized, quality of fracture reduction, and postoperative complications. A total of 19 acetabular fractures were repaired: 9 fractures in 8 dogs and 10 fractures in 10 cats. Locking implants used included acetabular plates (16/19 cases) and reconstruction plates (3/19 cases). As a result of the study, it was observed that acetabular plates provide successful results, especially in fractures located in the central region; however, in fractures located in the caudal regions, reduction may be difficult due to the limited bone stock where the plate can be placed. In cases involving concurrent fractures of the ilium or ischium fracture, more easly shaped implants, such as reconstruction plates, were found to be more advantageous. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring implant selection to the specific anatomical and clinical characteristics of each fracture to optimize surgical outcomes.

Keywords

• Acetabular fracture
• Locking acetabular plate
• Reconstruction plate

References

1. 1.Amato NS, Richards A, Knight TA, et al (2008): Ex vivo biomechanical comparison of the 2.4 mm uniLOCK reconstruction plate using 2.4 mm locking versus standard screws for fixation acetabular osteotomy in dogs. Vet Surg, 8, 741-748.
2. 2. Anderson GM, Cross AR, Lewis DD, et al (2002): The effect of plate luting on reduction accuracy and biomechanics of acetabular osteotomies stabilized with 2.7-mm reconstruction plates. Vet Surg, 1, 3-9.
3. 3. Anson LW, DeYoung DJ, Richardson DC, et al (1988): Clinical evaluation of canine acetabular fractures stabilized with an acetabular plate. Vet Surg, 4, 220-225.
4. 4. Beaver DP, Lewis DD, Lanz OI, et al (2000): Evaluation of four interfragmentary Kirschner wire configurations as a component of screw/wire/ polymethylmethacrylate fixation for acetabular fractures in dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc, 5, 456–62.
5. 5. Beck AL, Pead MJ, Draper E (2005): Regional load bearing of the feline acetabulum. J Biomech, 3, 427- 432.
6. 6. Bishop JA, Campbell ST, Graves M, et al (2020). Contouring plates in fracture surgery: indications and pitfalls. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 28, 585-595.
7. 7. Bookbinder PE, Flanders JA (1992). Characteristics of pelvic fracture in the cat. A 10 year retrospective study: Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 3, 122-127.
8. 8. Buttlerworth SJ, Gribben S, Skerry TM, et al (1994): Conservative and surgical treatment of canine acetabular fractures: a review of 34 cases. J Small Anim Pract, 3, 139-143.

9. 9. Carr BJ, Dycus D (2016): Canine gait analysis. Today’s Veterinary Practice, 2, 93-100.
10. 10. Cook JL, Evans R, Conzemius MG (2010): Proposed definition and criteria for reporting time frame, outcome, and complication for clinical orthopedic studies in veterinary medicine. Vet Surg, 8, 905-908.
11. 11. Dalton CL, Kim SE, Biedrzycki KM (2023): Minimal invasive repair of acetabular fractures in dogs: Ex vivo feasibility study and case report. Vet Surg, 6, 836-845.
12. 12. DeCamp CE (2012): Fractures of pelvis. 801-815. In: Tobias KM and Johnson SA (Ed), Veterinary surgery: small animal, Philadelphia, Elsevier.
13. 13. Dyce J, Houlton JEF (1993): Use of reconstruction plates for repair of acetabular fractures in 16 dogs. J Small Anim Pract, 11, 547-553.
14. 14. Fischer HR, Norton J, Kobluk CN, et al (2004): Surgical reduction and stabilization for repair of femoral capital physeal fractures in cats: 13 cases (1998–2002). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 9, 1478-82.
15. 15. Flores JA, Rovesti GL, Rodriguez-Quiros JA (2024): Bilateral acetabular physeal fracture treated with external fixation in an immature cat. Animals, 3, 379.
16. 16. Grand JG (2016): Use of sting-of-pearls locking implants for the stabilization of acetabular and supra-acetabular fractures in three dog. Revue Veterinaire Clinique, 1, 35-41.
17. 17. Haine DL, Parsons K, Barthelemy N, et al (2019): Outcome of surgical stabilisation of acetabular fractures in 16 cats. J Feline Med Surg, 6, 520-528.
18. 18. Hardie RJ, Bertram JEA, Todhunter RJ (1999): Biomechanical comparision of two plating techniques for fization of acetabular osteotomies in dogs. Vet Surg, 3,148-153.
19. 19. Hill FW (1977): A survey of bone fractures in the cat. J Small Anim Pract, 7, 457-463.
20. 20. Innes J, Butterworth S (1996): Decision making in the treatment of pelvic fractures in small animals. In Practice, 5, 215-221.
21. 21. Johnson KA (2014): The Pelvis and Hip Joint. 340-349. In: Johnson KA (ed), Piermattei’s Atlas of Surgical Approaches to the Bones and Joints of the Dog and Cat, St. Louis, Elsevier.
22. 22. Lanz O (2002): Lumbosacral and pelvic injuries. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract, 4, 949-62.
23. 23. Lewis DD, Stubbs WP, Neuwirth L, et al (1997): Results of screw/wire/polymethylmethacrylate composite fixation for acetabular fracture repair in 14 dogs. Vet Surg, 3, 223-234.
24. 24. Matis U (2005): Fractures of the acetabulum. 178-191. In: Johnson AL, Houlton JEF, Vannini R (Ed), AO principles of fracture management in the dog and cat, Germany, Thieme.
25. 25. Meeson RL, Corr S (2011): Management of pelvic trauma neurological damage, urinary tract disruption and pelvic fractures. J Feline Med Surg, 13, 347-361.
26. 26. Meeson RL, Geddes AT (2017): Management and long term outcome of pelvic fractures: a retrospective study of 43 cats. J Feline Med Surg, 1, 36-41.
27. 27. Messmer M, Montavon PV (2004): Pelvic fractures in the dog and cat: a classification system and review of 556 cases. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 4, 167–173.
28. 28. Miller A (2002): Decision making in the management of pelvic fractures in small animals. In Practice, 2, 54-61.
29. 29. Moores AL, Moores AP, Brodbelt DC et al (2007): Regional load bearing of the canine acetabulum. J Biomech, 16, 3732-3737.
30. 30. Nganvongpanit K, Boonsri B, Sripratak T, et al (2013): Effects of one-time and two-time intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid sodium salt after joint surgery in dogs. J Vet Sci, 2, 215-222.
31. 31. Ost PC, Kaderly RE (1986): Use of reconstruction plates for the repair of segmental ilial fractures involving acetabular comminution in four dogs. Vet Surg, 3, 259–64.
32. 32. Penderis, J (2008): Spinal cord injury in the dog: features of the neurological examination affecting prognosis. In: Presented at 33rd Congress of World Small Animal Veterinary Association Proceedings. Dublin, Ireland.
33. 33. Piana F, Solano M, Kalff S, et al (2020): Locking plate fixation for canine acetabular fractures. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 4, 294-300.
34. 34. Prieur WD (1980): Coxarthrosis in the dog part 1: normal and abnormal biomechanics of the hip joint. Vet Surg, 4, 145-149.
35. 35. Roberts VJ, Meeson RL (2022): Feline femoral fracture fixation. What are the options? J Feline Med Surg, 5, 442–463.
36. 36. Roberts VJ, Parsons K, Sajik D, et al (2021): Management and long-term outcome of acetabular fractures in dogs: A retrospective study of 49 dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 5, 352-358.
37. 37. Troger JC, Viguier E (2008): Use of t-plates fort he stabilisation of supracotyloid ilial fractures in 18 cats and five dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol, 1, 69-75.
38. 38. Wheaton LG, Hohn RB, Harrison JW (1973): Surgical treatment of acetabular fractures in dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 5, 385-392.