title: Symphyseal distraction-osteotomy using a novel spacer of spirally fashioned orthopaedic wire for the management of obstipation.
abstract: Three domestic shorthair cats, one male and two females, 17.6+/-6.5 months old and 3.5+/-0.4 kg body weight, were admitted with a 6.6+/-1.1 (range 6-8) month history of recurrent bouts of obstipation. Defecatory difficulties had started within a month of conservatively managed pelvic fractures. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed severe colonic distension with faeces and a narrow pelvic canal caused by malunion of the pelvic fractures. A pelvic symphyseal distraction-osteotomy (SDO) technique was performed, using a novel metal spacer of spirally fashioned orthopaedic wire. Pelvic canal enlargement allowed the insertion of an index finger into the rectum. Following this, no further episodes of obstipation occurred during a follow-up period of 1-3 years. The SDO technique may be successful for the treatment of obstipation secondary to post-traumatic pelvic canal stenosis in the cat, if the colon motility is not already permanently affected.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Surgery, Veterinary School, University of Thessaly, Trikalon 224, P.O. Box 199, 43100 Karditsa, Greece. ngreen@vet.auth.gr <ngreen@vet.auth.gr>
authors.forename: Nikitas N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Prassinos
authors.forename: Katerina K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Adamama-Moraitou
authors.forename: Pagona G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Gouletsou
authors.forename: Timoleon S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Rallis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome