title: Postoperative complications after surgical management of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe incidence and type of postoperative complications in the surgical management of incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) and identify any risk factors associated with development of these complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical records of dogs (n=57) that had prophylactic transcondylar screw insertion for treatment of IOHC (79 elbows) at 6 UK referral centers were reviewed. Signalment, presentation, surgical management, postoperative care, and complications were recorded. Postoperative complications were divided into seroma, surgical site infections (SSI) and implant complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spaniel breeds and entire males were overrepresented. The overall complication rate was 59.5%. Seroma (n=25) and SSI (24) were the most commonly encountered complications. Implant failure occurred in 2 dogs. Labrador retrievers were at greater risk of developing a postoperative complication than other breeds (P=.03). Increasing bodyweight was a significant risk factor for development of a SSI (P=.03). Placement of the transcondylar screw in lag fashion rather than as a positional screw reduced the incidence of postoperative SSI (P=.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical management of IOHC is associated with a high rate of postoperative complications. Placement of the transcondylar screw in lag fashion may limit postoperative complications and warrants further consideration.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, Cheshire, UK. R.Hattersley@liv.ac.uk
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hattersley
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKee
authors.forename: Turlough
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Butterworth
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maddox
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Sorrel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Langley-Hobbs
authors.forename: Eithne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Comerford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors