Clinical outcomes and complications of pancarpal arthrodesis stabilised with 3.5†mm/2.7†mm locking compression plates with internal additional fixation in 12 dogs.

AIMS: To report the clinical outcomes and complications after the use of 3.5 mm/2.7 mm locking compression plates (LCP) with additional internal fixation for pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA) in dogs. METHODS: This was a retrospective study using medical records from a single orthopaedic referral hospital between December 2015 and April 2018. The inclusion criteria were the use of a dorsally applied LCP for PCA in dogs with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. Additional crossed 2.7 or 3.5 mm cortical screws or Kirschner wires were placed in all limbs to further stabilise the joints. A light dressing without external coaptation was applied postoperatively to all limbs. Postoperative lameness assessment was recorded at the last clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Twelve dogs with 13 arthrodesed limbs were included, with carpal hyperextension injury being the most common indication for surgery (4/13; 31%). One dog was recorded with a minor complication, which was a metacarpal fracture distal to the bone plate. Major complications were observed in 4/13 (31%) limbs, with surgical site infection being recorded in all four limbs and screw loosening in one limb. No implant failure was reported. At the final clinical evaluation (43-437 days after surgery), none or mechanical lameness was recorded in 9/13 (69%) limbs, mild lameness in 3/13 (23%) limbs, and moderate lameness in one 1/13 (8%) limb. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Locking plate and screw fixation with additional internal fixation resulted in comparable complication and infection rates in canine PCA to previous published studies using hybrid dynamic compression plates. No implant failure was reported for any of the limbs despite the use of a light dressing without external coaptation.

Owner satisfaction and prognosis for return to work after pancarpal arthrodesis in working dogs in the United Kingdom: a retrospective study (2011-2020).

BACKGROUND: Pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA) is a commonly performed procedure in the UK. However, it is not known whether working dogs in the UK and other European countries with carpal injuries that have undergone unilateral PCA are able to return to working ability as determined by the owner. Medical records from a referral hospital in the UK were reviewed retrospectively for cases of working dogs treated using unilateral PCA. Case files and radiographs were retrospectively analysed for cause of injury, diagnosis, and complications. The ability of the dog to work after surgery and owner satisfaction with the outcome were assessed using telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: 50% (5/10, 50%) owners stated their dog could perform normal duties, 4/10 (40%) could perform most duties with some allowances. Outcome was not as good for dogs working on steep, uneven fell terrain. 80% (8/10, 80%) owners rated the level of post-operative lameness as unaffected with a normal gait. 90% (9/10, 90%) owners were either very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome of the procedure, and 90% owners stated the financial investment was worthwhile. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral PCA carries a good prognosis for working dogs with high owner satisfaction. Caution should be advised for dogs expected to work on steep, uneven fell terrain.

Surgical Ectrodactyly Repair Using Limb-lengthening and Bone Tissue Engineering Techniques in a Toy Dog Breed.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Bone tissue engineering is an emerging field of regenerative medicine that holds promise for the restoration of bones affected by trauma, neoplastic diseases, and congenital deformity. During the past decade, bone tissue engineering has evolved from the use of biomaterials that can only replace small areas of damaged bone, to the use of scaffolds in which grafts can be seeded before implantation. This case report proposes an alternative option for a veterinary patient suffering from ectrodactyly, which is one of several congenital deformities in dogs. A 2-month-old male toy poodle dog with ectrodactyly was treated using several stages of surgery involving pancarpal arthrodesis, limb lengthening, and bone tissue engineering techniques. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Over a period of 2 years, the operated limb gained almost the same function as the contralateral limb. Bone tissue engineering techniques can be used for the treatment of congenital deformities in dogs.

Long-term follow-up of working dogs in New Zealand following pancarpal arthrodesis using dorsal hybrid plating.

AIM: To determine the long-term prognosis for working dogs in New Zealand following pancarpal arthrodesis (PCA) utilising a dorsal hybrid plate. METHODS: Owners of 14 dogs who had a PCA performed as part of a previous study conducted at two small animal veterinary surgical hospitals were contacted via phone and asked to participate in a short survey. RESULTS: A phone survey was completed for seven dogs. Five of the seven dogs had returned to full work, one dog had a moderate persistent lameness that prevented returning to normal work and the remaining dog did not return to normal work for reasons unrelated to the study. Removal of the implants was required in four of seven cases at a median interval of 2 (min 0.5, max 2) years following surgery. One dog had no gait abnormality, but developed an occasional mild lameness after jumping, one dog had a constant gait abnormality with a moderate, persistent lameness, and the remaining five dogs had a constant gait abnormality with a mild, intermittent lameness. All owners contacted were very satisfied with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Working dogs undergoing a standardised surgical procedure for unilateral PCA using a hybrid carpal arthrodesis bone plate applied dorsally have a good prognosis for return to work. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although this study has a small number of cases, this study provides subjective longer-term follow-up data than previously reported for working dogs that have undergone PCA. Owners should be warned that plate removal may be required in approximately 60% of dogs and additional expenditure should be planned for.

Rapid prototyping to design a customized locking plate for pancarpal arthrodesis in a giant breed dog.

This report describes the treatment of traumatic carpal hyperextension in a giant breed dog by pancarpal arthrodesis using a custom-made Fixin locking plate, created with the aid of a three-dimensional plastic model of the bones of the antebrachium produced by rapid prototyping technology. A three-year-old 104 kg male Mastiff dog was admitted for treatment of carpal hyperextension injury. After diagnosis of carpal instability, surgery was recommended. Computed tomography images were used to create a life-size three-dimensional plastic model of the forelimb. The model was used as the basis for constructing a customized 12-hole Fixin locking plate. The plate was used to attain successful pancarpal arthrodesis in the animal. Radiographic examination after 74 and 140 days revealed signs of osseous union of the arthrodesis. Further clinical and radiographic follow-up examination three years later did not reveal any changes in implant position or complications.

Utilização dos subprodutos da fresagem do osso subcondral em substituição ao enxerto autólogo esponjoso em artrodeses de carpo de cães / Subproducts of subchondral bone fraising in substitution of autologous cancellous grafts in pancarpal arthrodesis of dogs

A artrodese rádio-cárpica é procedimento radical usado no tratamento de fraturas e luxações do carpo, com danos à fibrocartilagem palmar e às estruturas ligamentares de sustentação, decorrentes de hiperextensão. Para este estudo foram selecionados 15 cães, submetidos à artrodese rádio-cárpica, entre abril/02 e julho/04. Foram estudados os casos quanto à formação de calo ósseo e às complicações pós-cirúrgicas. A técnica consistiu na ostectomia da superfície articular do rádio, expondo-a e retificando-a. Os subprodutos desta fresagem foram reintroduzidos como enxerto após sua redução em tamanho com rugina. Para a estabilização articular, em todos os casos, foram usadas placas compressivas. Foram realizados exames radiográficos imediatamente à intervenção cirúrgica e em intervalos de 30 dias, até a total fusão articular. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo, com fusão da articulação em até 300 dias de pós-cirúrgico em 80 por cento dos casos estudados, foram semelhantes aos dispostos para as técnicas que utilizam enxertos autólogos esponjosos, sendo que, em 68 por cento dos pacientes, a recuperação se deu sem qualquer complicação significativa. Pequenas complicações, como o aumento de volume, foram observadas em 22 por cento dos casos, não determinando qualquer alteração no resultado final. Tais resultados viabilizam a técnica descrita, demonstrando a exeqüibilidade da utilização dos subprodutos da fresagem do osso subcondral como enxerto em artrodeses de carpo em cães.

Pancarpal arthrodesis is an extreme procedure, used in the treatment of fractures and carpal luxations, with damage to the palmar fibro cartilage and structural ligaments, after hyperextension. For this study 15 dogs were selected, which underwent pancarpal artrodesis, betwen April/ 2002 and July/ 2004. The cases were studied in regard to bone formation and post-surgical complications. The technique consisted in the ostectomy of the articular surface of the radius, exposing and rectifying it. The byproducts of this reaming were introduced as a graft after their size reduction, with a grinder. In all cases, compressive plates were used for the articular stabilization. Immediately after surgery, radiographic exams were made and in 30 days intervals, until complete articular fusion. The results from this study, with articular fusion before 300 days after surgery in 80 percent of the cases, were extremely similar to the ones observed with techniques that use autologous cancellous bone grafts, and 68 percent of the patients recovered without significant complications. Small complications like slight swelling were observed in 22 percent of the cases, not determining any alterations in the final result. These results show that the technique is viable, demonstrating the possibility of use of the byproducts of subchondral bone reaming as a graft in the arthrodesis of dogs.