title: Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in eleven cats with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the surgical procedure, intra- and postoperative complications, and short-term follow-up of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) in feline patients with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture using a 2.0 or 2.4 mm Synthes®TPLO plate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven cats with a CrCL rupture were included in the study. Inspection of intra-articular structures was carried out via arthroscopy or arthrotomy. Each patient was re-examined one and 10 days after surgery. Orthopaedic examination and follow-up radiographs were obtained four to 12 weeks postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two meniscopathies and one partial CrCL rupture were detected. Minor intra-operative complications occurred in five cats (suboptimal positioning of the plate [n = 3], proximal fibular fracture [n = 1], a visible osteotomy gap [n = 1]). Postoperatively, minor complications were detected in three cats (mild patellar desmitis [n = 2], superficial wound infection [n = 1]). No additional surgical reintervention, graded as major complication, was necessary. Four to eight weeks postoperatively, all cats showed no to mild intermittent lameness. Complete bone union was apparent within four to 12 weeks. Owners reported a high level of comfort and mobility during the last follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preliminary results of this study support the use of TPLO in cats, but larger case numbers are needed to evaluate its practicability, as well as long-term outcome (>1 year), especially evaluating the development and the clinical relevance of osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Julia Katharina Mindner, Tierklinik Haar, Keferloher Str. 25, 85540 Haar, Germany, Phone: +49 89 46148510, Fax: +49 89 4614851199, E-mail: julia.mindner@gmx.de.
authors.forename: Julia K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Mindner
authors.forename: Malgorzata J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bielecki
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scharvogel
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meiler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography / Q000662:veterinary; D012421:Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: TPLO; cat; complications; cranial cruciate ligament rupture; feline; short-term outcome; tibial plateau levelling osteotomy