title: Locking plate and screw fixation after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy reduces postoperative infection rate in dogs over 50 kg.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the influence of locking plate and screw implants on postoperative infection rate in dogs >50 kg undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs >50 kg (n = 208) that had TPLO.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (January 2003-September 2011) were reviewed for dogs that had TPLO. Type of implant used (locking plate and screw fixation [LP] and dynamic compression plate and screw fixation [NLP]), use of postoperative antibiotics and presence of postoperative infection were recorded. Multivariate analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty dogs (21.3%) had clinical signs compatible with postoperative infection. A positive microbiology swab was available in 16/40 cases (40%). Administration of postoperative antibiotics was associated with a lower incidence of infection (P = .006) and the use of NLP was associated with a higher incidence of infection (P = .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of LP construct and postoperative antibiotic therapy significantly decreased infection rate in dogs >50 kg that have TPLO.
authors.affiliation: Fitzpatrick Referrals Ltd, Eashing, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Solano
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danielski
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kovach
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farrell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents