Effect of meniscal release on rate of subsequent meniscal tears and owner-assessed outcome in dogs with cruciate disease treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare rates of meniscal tears after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) among 3 groups of dogs based on treatment method: arthrotomy with meniscal release (openR), arthrotomy without meniscal release (openNR), arthroscopy without meniscal release (scopeNR), and compare long term owner-assessed outcomes for the same groups.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Stifles (n=254) of dogs that had TPLO.


METHODS
The three groups were compared for significant (P<.05) differences in rate of subsequent tears using a chi(2) test. Odds ratios for likelihood of subsequent meniscal tears were determined. Data for signalment, outcome, time to peak function, and time to subsequent tear were compared for significant differences using ANOVA, t-test, or rank sum test.


RESULTS
Subsequent meniscal tears were diagnosed in 16 cases (6.3%). Of dogs with subsequent meniscal tears, 9 had openNR, 4 had openR, and 3 had scopeNR; the proportion of subsequent meniscal tears was significantly different (P=.035) among groups. Odds ratio indicated that subsequent meniscal tear was 3.8 times more likely to occur for openNR than openR or scopeNR. No significant differences among groups were noted for measures of outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Meniscal release did not reduce the rate of subsequent meniscal tears when compared with cases treated arthroscopically or when compared with all cases combined, but may be advantageous when meniscal pathology cannot be comprehensively assessed in the cranial cruciate deficient stifle. Meniscal release had no effects on owner-assessed outcome as determined in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
The low rates of subsequent meniscal tears in conjunction with the relatively high and equivocal levels of owner-assessed outcome and time to peak function for all 3 treatment groups suggest that any of these surgical management strategies can be considered acceptable. We suggest that a meniscal release be performed when complete and thorough exploration of the joint and meniscus cannot be, or are not, performed.
Thieman
Kelley M
KM
Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
Tomlinson
James L
JL
Fox
Derek B
DB
Cook
Cristi
C
Cook
James L
JL
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000662:veterinary; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome