title: In vitro comparison of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy with and without use of a tibial plateau leveling jig.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of a tibial plateau leveling jig on osteotomy orientation, fragment reduction, and postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) during tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large-breed canine cadavers (n=20).
  
  
  METHODS
  TPLO was performed on 40 hindlimbs using 4 methods. Group 1: Jig; dogs in dorsal recumbency with the osteotomy parallel to the distal jig pin. Groups 2-4: No jig; dogs in lateral recumbency with the osteotomy in a vertical orientation (group 2: tibia parallel to the table top; group 3: controlled superimposition of the femoral condyles; group 4: internal rotation of the tibia). Postoperative TPA, fragment reduction, and osteotomy orientation relative to the tibial plateau were compared. Positive or negative values denoted deviation from parallel relative to the tibial plateau.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative TPA, fragment reduction, and proximodistal osteotomy orientation were not significantly different between groups. Craniocaudal osteotomy orientation was significantly different (P<.005) from the tibial plateau. Median deviations were -4.0 degrees (group 1), 11.8 degrees (group 2), 11.2 degrees (group 3), and 0.2 degrees (group 4). Group 1 was not significantly different from group 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A jig is not essential for osteotomy orientation, tibial plateau rotation, or fragment reduction. Comparable results were achieved performing a vertical osteotomy with the tibia slightly internally rotated (10 degrees -15 degrees) and parallel to the table surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TPLO without use of a jig reduces surgical trauma, is less time consuming, and reduces cost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. schmerbach@kleintierklinik.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Kay Ingo
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Schmerbach
authors.forename: Christian Konrad Matthias
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Boeltzig
authors.forename: Ullrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Reif
authors.forename: Jan Carsten
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wieser
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grevel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*