Use of an ipsilateral vascularized ulnar transposition autograft for limb-sparing surgery of the distal radius in dogs: an anatomic and clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a surgical technique for using the distal aspect of the ulna as a transposition autograft in a distal radial defect and to assess patency of vascular supply and viability of the distal ulna in a heterotopic position.


METHODS
Cadaveric study and clinical cases.


METHODS
Twenty-two normal canine thoracic limbs; 3 dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma.


METHODS
The arteries and veins of 12 limbs were injected with latex. Barium sulfate suspension was injected into the brachial artery of 10 other limbs after removal of the distal radius only (n = 2), ulna transposition (UT) (n = 6), or no procedure (n = 2). The distal ulna grafts were then harvested and decalcified in formic acid. The grafts were cut into 3-5 mm transverse sections and radiographed with a nonscreen film system to determine filling of intramedullary vessels with barium suspension. UT was performed in 3 dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma. Bone scintigraphy was performed 2-7 days after surgery to assess viability of the transposed ulna graft.


RESULTS
Angiography confirmed patency of the caudal interosseous artery in all but 2 limbs in which the UT technique was performed; however, barium-filled vessels were identified in the medullary cavity of all ulnar grafts. Scintigraphy confirmed graft viability in the 3 dogs, all of which had good to excellent limb function.


CONCLUSIONS
The distal aspect of the canine ulna can be used as a vascularized transposition autograft to replace distal radial defects, and viability can be maintained.


CONCLUSIONS
The UT technique appears to be an acceptable limb-sparing technique for dogs with tumors of the distal aspect of the radius.
Séguin
Bernard
B
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Walsh
Peter J
PJ
Mason
David R
DR
Wisner
Erik R
ER
Parmenter
Jessica L
JL
Dernell
William S
WS
D000818:Animals; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D011884:Radius / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000637:transplantation*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014457:Ulna / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000637:transplantation*