title: Does use of a jig influence the precision of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the precision of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery when performed with or without a jig.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric, adult greyhound hindlimbs (n=9 pair).
  
  
  METHODS
  TPLO (n=18) was performed on each limb pair; 1 with and 1 without use of a jig. Measurements taken from pre- and postsurgical radiographs were osteotomy position, tibial plateau angle (TPA), varus-valgus malalignment, and tibial torsion. The null hypothesis was that TPLO precision was not affected by use of a jig. Student's t-test was used to investigate differences in TPA, osteotomy location, and frequency and extent of iatrogenic limb malalignment; P<.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in postsurgical TPA, tibial crest thickness, varus-valgus malalignment, or tibial torsion between TPLOs performed with or without a jig. Osteotomy location was significantly more distal when a jig was used (P=.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Jig use did not improve the precision of TPLO surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Performing TPLO without a jig should reduce surgery time, eliminate complications related to placement of the distal jig pin and allow unhindered positioning of the osteotomy.
authors.affiliation: Croft Veterinary Hospital, Blyth, Northumberland, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Malcolm G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ness
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery*; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*