Biomechanical comparison of two plating techniques for fixation of acetabular osteotomies in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the failure properties of a 5-hole, 2.7-mm curved acetabular plate (AP) to a 5-hole, 3.5-mm reconstruction plate (RP) when applied to acetabular osteotomies.


METHODS
Cadaver study.


METHODS
Pelves of 8 mature, large-breed dogs.


METHODS
A 5-hole, 2.7-mm AP and a 5-hole, 3.5-mm RP were contoured and applied to the dorsal acetabulum of each pelvis. A central acetabular fracture was simulated after plate application by a transverse osteotomy with a fine saw. Each acetabulum was loaded in a weight-bearing direction. A load-deformation curve was produced for each construct, and biomechanical properties of the AP and RP were compared with the Student's paired t-test. A P value of < .05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
For the AP and RP composite respectively, the mean +/- SD maximum load to failure was 2,721 +/- 632 N and 2,488 +/- 800 N, the stiffness was 4.8 +/- 1.8 N/m and 5.3 +/- 1.9 N/m, and the energy absorbed was 15.1 +/- 5.2 Nm and 16.3 +/- 8.3 Nm. None of these differences was statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Both fixation techniques provided comparable strength, stiffness, and energy absorbed under the loading conditions of this study.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the relative ease of application, the 2.7-mm curved AP may be the practical choice for acetabular fracture repair in large dogs.
Hardie
R J
RJ
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Bertram
J E
JE
Todhunter
R J
RJ
Trotter
E J
EJ
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000293:injuries*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary