title: The Advanced Locking Plate System (ALPS): a retrospective evaluation in 71 small animal patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate use of the Advanced Locking Plate System (ALPS) in dogs and cats and report outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n = 29) and cats (n = 42).
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records (April 2007-April 2010) of dogs and cats treated with ALPS were reviewed evaluated. Data retrieved included signalment, indication for surgery, complications, and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ALPS was used for 54 fractures, 12 tarsal or carpal ligament injuries and in 6 cases, to prevent or treat fractures during total hip replacement. Complications needing revision surgery occurred in 4 cases (5.5%): fixation failure was identified in 3 (2 fracture-fixations, 1 pancarpal arthrodesis), and a fracture occurred through a screw hole. The most common complication after tarsal arthrodesis was suture dehiscence. All cases had healed by study end.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ALPS offers a reliable alternative for fracture treatment and some other orthopedic conditions in small animals.
authors.affiliation: Department for Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Academic Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Tomás G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalchofner
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scherrer
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kircher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome