Development and in situ application of an adjustable aiming device to guide extra- to intraarticular tibial tunnel drilling for the insertion of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and test an arthroscopic aiming device for extra- to intraarticular tibial tunnel drilling emerging at the center of the tibial insertion (CenterTib) of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in medium to large breed dogs.


METHODS
Descriptive experimental study.


METHODS
Fifty-two cadaveric hind limbs of dogs >or=20 kg BW.


METHODS
The mediolateral position and craniocaudal position (ccPos) of CenterTib in relation to the caudomedial meniscotibial ligament were measured on photographs of 46 dissected tibial plateaus. The proximal tibial depth (TibDepth) was determined on lateral radiographs and its correlation with ccPos was assessed using linear regression analysis. Extra- to intraarticular arthroscopic tibial tunnel drilling was performed in 6 independent cadaveric stifles. A C-guide with an adjustable craniocaudal offset was constructed and adjusted according to ccPos estimated based on TibDepth. The position of the resulting bone tunnels was compared with the position of the CenterTib.


RESULTS
Pearson's correlation between TibDepth and ccPos was strong (R=0.86; P<.001). ccPos (y) as a function of TibDepth (x) can be expressed as y=-4.8+0.3x. Arthroscopic tunnel drilling resulted in a median deviation of the drill tunnels around the CenterTib of 1 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
The regression equation and aiming device permit localization and targeting of CenterTib during extra- to intraarticular tibial bone tunnel drilling in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed technique may reduce tibial tunnel misplacement when performing intraarticular CCL repair using a tibial bone tunnel.
Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. winkels@kleintierklinik.uni-leipzig.de
Philipp
P
Winkels
Hinnerk
H
Werner
Vera
V
Grevel
Gerhard
G
Oechtering
Peter
P
Böttcher
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D013264:Stifle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*