title: Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in small breed dogs with high tibial plateau angles using a 4-hole 1.9/2.5 mm locking T-plate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report clinical experiences with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) to address cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease in small breed dogs with high tibial plateau angles (TPA) using a specific 4-hole locking T-plate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Small breed dogs (<15 kg) with high TPA (>30°): n = 19 (29 CCL ruptures).
  
  
  METHODS
  TPLO was performed by standard technique using a 1.9/2.5 mm 4-hole locking T-plate. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and 6-8 weeks postoperative TPA were measured from radiographs. Lameness was scored subjectively preoperatively and 6-8 weeks postoperatively. Mid to long term follow-up was by client telephone questionnaire (mean, 12.1 months after surgery).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ± SD preoperative TPA was 37.0 ± 4.9°, immediate postoperative TPA, 6.4 ± 2.8° and 6-8 weeks postoperative TPA, 8.0 ± 4.9°. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 dogs (13.8%) all of which had been operated as single-session bilateral procedures. Three stifles had failure of a single screw and postoperative increase in TPA. Periprosthetic infection necessitated plate removal in 1 dog. Lameness scores by veterinary assessment reduced from mean 3.4/5 preoperatively to 0.4/5 at 6-8 weeks postoperatively. Mid to long-term follow-up revealed no lameness by owner assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 4-hole 1.9/2.5 mm locking T-plate may be used in the stabilization of unilateral TPLO in small breed dogs with high TPA.
authors.affiliation: Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, Ringwood, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Philip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: Harry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010375:Pedigree; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*