Incidence of complications associated with tibial tuberosity advancement in Boxer dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively review and describe the incidence of complications associated with tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) surgical procedures in a group of Boxer dogs (n = 36 stifles) and compare the data with a non-Boxer control population (n = 271 stifles).


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of medical records to identify all dogs that underwent TTA surgery due to cranial cruciate ligament disease. These records were categorized into two groups: Boxer dogs and non-Boxer dogs (controls - all other breeds).


RESULTS
Of the 307 stifles included, 69 complications were reported in 58 joints. The complication rate differed significantly for Boxer dogs (16/36 stifles) and non-Boxer dogs (42/271 stifles), corresponding to an odds ratio of 5.8 (confidence interval: 1.96-17.02; p-value <0.001). Boxer dogs were more likely to undergo revision surgery and to develop multiple complications. The incidence of tibial tuberosity fractures requiring surgical repair (2/36 versus 1/271) and incisional infections requiring antibiotic treatment (three in each group) was significantly higher in the Boxer group.


CONCLUSIONS
Boxer dogs had more major and multiple complications after TTA surgery than the control non-Boxer group; these complications included higher rates of revision surgery, tibial tuberosity fractures requiring stabilization, and infection related complications. The pertinence and value of breed-specific recommendations for cranial cruciate ligament disease appears to be a subject worthy of further investigation.
Brigite de Lima Dantas, DVM MRCVS, Small Animal Surgery Clinician, Pride Veterinary Centre, Riverside Road, DE24 8HX Derby, United Kingdom, Phone: +44 0133 267 8333, E-mail: brigitedantas@gmail.com.
Brigite
B
de Lima Dantas
Rui
R
Sul
Tim
T
Parkin
Ignacio
I
Calvo
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013045:Species Specificity; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*
Boxer dogs; TTA; complications; cranial cruciate ligament disease; tibial tuberosity advancement