title: Feline ilial fractures: assessment of screw loosening and pelvic canal narrowing after lateral plating.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the incidence of (1) screw loosening and (2) severity of pelvic canal narrowing in cats after repair of ilial fractures by a lateral bone plate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cats (n=21) with ilial fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (June 1994 to February 2004) and radiographs were reviewed. Retrieved data were: signalment, fracture description, screw purchase, screw loosening, complications, and clinical outcome. Sacral index (SI) was used to objectively assess degree of pelvic canal narrowing. Long-term follow-up was by owner telephone interview or postal questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Screw loosening occurred in 13 cats (62%), with a mean loss of total screw purchase of 13% (range, 0-46%). Pelvic canal narrowing (mean decrease, 25%; range, 5-60%) occurred in all cats. Six cats (28%) had severe pelvic canal narrowing (mean, 52%); 5 of these had signs of recurrent constipation within 12 months postoperatively. Mean loss of total screw purchase in cats with severe pelvic narrowing was 28% compared with 9% for all other cats with narrowing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lateral plating of ilial fractures in cats is associated with a high incidence of screw loosening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pelvic canal narrowing >45% is associated with a high risk of recurrent constipation.
authors: The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, Cambridge University, Madingley Road, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Michael H
authors: MH
authors: Hamilton
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Evans
authors: Sorrel J
authors: SJ
authors: Langley-Hobbs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary; D002415:Cats; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007085:Ilium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires