Fracture Repair in Cats Using a Conical Coupling Mini 1.9 to 2.5 mm Locking Plate System.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical application of the Fixin mini 1.9 to 2.5 system for the treatment of long bone fractures in cats. We proposed that the Fixin mini system would successfully stabilize long bone fractures in cats with a healing time and complication rate similar to those previously reported for feline fractures using other locking bone plate systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and radiographs of cats with long bone fractures stabilized with the Fixin mini 1.9 to 2.5 system were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment, body weight, bone(s) fractured, region of bone fractured, fracture classification, concurrent orthopaedic injuries, complications, time to functional union, if minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis techniques were used, plate size, number of plates, bone graft use and ancillary methods of fixation were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-six fractures in 54 cats were included. Mean time to radiographic union was 8.8 weeks. Complications were recorded in 8 out of 56 fractures. Major complications occurred in 4 of 56 fractures and minor complications occurred in 4 of 56 fractures. CONCLUSION: The Fixin mini 1.9 to 2.5 system had an overall complication rate and time to functional union similar to that of other implant systems used to treat feline long bone fractures and it appears suitable for repair of a wide variety of long bone fracture configurations in cats.

Comparison of osteotomy technique and jig type in completion of distal femoral osteotomies for correction of medial patellar luxation. An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: Femoral osteotomies are frequently completed to correct malalignment associated with patellar luxation. The objectives of this study were to compare the use of: 1) two different types of jig; and 2) different types of osteotomy in the realignment of canine femoral bone models which possessed various iterations of angular deformity. METHODS: Models of canine femora possessing distal varus, external torsion and a combination of varus and torsion underwent correction utilizing two alignment jigs (Slocum jig and Deformity Reduction Device) and either a closing wedge ostectomy (CWO) or an opening wedge osteotomy (OWO). Post-correctional alignment was evaluated by radiographic assessment and compared between groups. RESULTS: The use of the Slocum jig resulted in frontal plane overcorrection when used with CWO in models of femoral varus, and when used with OWO in models of femoral varus and external torsion when compared to other techniques. The Deformity Reduction Device tended to realign the frontal plane closer to the post-correction target value in all angulation types. The use of both jigs resulted in undercorrection in the transverse plane in models with varus and torsion. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Jig selection and osteotomy type may lead to different post-correctional alignment results when performing distal femoral osteotomies. Whereas OWO allows accurate correction when used with either jig to address frontal plane deformities, the Deformity Reduction Device can be utilized with both CWO and OWO to correct torsion-angulation femoral deformities to optimize frontal plane alignment.

Distal femoral osteotomy using a novel deformity reduction device.

Distal femoral osteotomy is a surgical procedure used to correct patellar luxation, secondary to a femoral deformity. A distal femoral osteotomy using the tibial plateau levelling osteotomy-jig to temporarily provide stability of the distal femoral osteotomy, maintaining limb alignment in the frontal and axial planes prior to internal plate fixation of the osteotomy, has been described. This report describes a novel jig named Deformity Reduction Device (DRD). This device was developed with the specific aim of increasing precision and predictability during corrective osteotomy execution in order to be consistent with the preoperative planning. The distal femoral osteotomy DRD-assisted procedure is described in detail, discussing the theoretical and practical principles of the application.