Increased sacral screw purchase minimizes screw loosening in canine triple pelvic osteotomy

• Published in: Veterinary surgery 2004-11, Vol.33 (6), p.609-614
• Main Authors: Whelan, M.F, McCarthy, R.J, Boudrieau, R.J, Kraus, K.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bone Screws - veterinary; canine hip dysplasia; Dogs; hemicerclage; Hip Dysplasia, Canine - diagnostic imaging; Hip Dysplasia, Canine - surgery; Osteotomy - methods; Osteotomy - veterinary; pelvis; Pelvis - surgery; postoperative complications; Prospective Studies; Radiography; sacrum; screw loosening; screws; Surgery; surgical equipment; Treatment Outcome; triple pelvic osteotomy; Veterinary services
• ISSN: 0161-3499; 1532-950X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2004.04091.x

Objective— To determine if screw loosening in triple pelvic osteotomies (TPO) is minimized when screws cranial to the ilial osteotomy had maximal sacral purchase. Study Design— Prospective study. Animals— Forty‐six dogs with decreased acetabular coverage of the femoral head and minimal degenerative joint changes. Methods— TPOs were performed where screws cranial to the ilial osteotomy were inserted to maximally engage sacral bone. Data collected were: use of ilial and ischial cerclage wire, screw length, ventrodorsal radiographic sacral width (most caudal aspect), pelvic canal diameter, and sacral penetration of the 3 cranial screws. On all subsequent radiographs, changes in screw position, pelvic canal diameter, and sacral purchase were noted. Results— For 69 TPOs, 414 screws were used. Mean radiographic cranial screw length was 34.54 mm. Combined sacral depth of all 3 screws was 93.3% of sacral width. All osteotomies healed uneventfully. Twenty‐four screws (6%) loosened with 12 being in the most cranial positions. Use of ischial or ilial cerclage wires did not statistically influence screw loosening. Pelvic diameter decreased by a mean of 7.79% from postoperative radiographs to the last radiographic recheck. Conclusions— By sufficiently engaging the sacrum with screws cranial to the ilial osteotomy, implant failures can be avoided and screw loosening minimized when a 6‐hole TPO plate is used. Clinical Relevance—— To minimize screw‐loosening in TPO, screws inserted cranial to the ilial osteotomy should be inserted to maximum sacral depth without penetrating the vertebral canal.