Outcome of Tibial Closing Wedge Osteotomy in 55 Cranial Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Stifles of Small Dogs (<15 kg).
OBJECTIVE
To describe the outcome of cranial closing wedge osteotomy (CWO) of the tibia for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifles in dogs with a body weight of <15 kg.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Forty-five client-owned dogs (n=55 stifles).


METHODS
Medical records (2005-2014), radiographs, and owner questionnaire were used to identify the surgical procedure performed, associated complications and outcome in 45 dogs undergoing CWO in 55 stifles.


RESULTS
Data for 55 stifles from 45 dogs were included. Bichon Frise was the most frequent dog breed (n=11). Mean pre- and postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) were 36.3° (95% CI 35.1-37.5) and 7.5° (95% CI 6.7-8.2), respectively. Pin and tension bands were placed in 38/55 stifles (69%). The most frequent complication at short-term follow-up (2 weeks) was incisional complications in 8 stifles; all resolved with systemic antibiotic administration alone. Data were available for all stifles at 8 week follow-up with an overall complication occurrence in 16/55 stifles (28%); 1 dog required revision surgery. Tibial osteotomy healing was evident on radiographs at 8 weeks postoperative in 53 stifles (96%), considered complete in 27 stifles, and good in 26 stifles. Follow-up owner questionnaire was available for 36 dogs at a mean of 24 months and 34/36 owners (94%) were satisfied with the procedure and considered their dog had a good quality of life with minimal long-term complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Dogs with a body weight <15 kg undergoing CWO for treatment of a CrCL-deficient stifle had a good outcome based on clinical status, radiographic evaluation, and owner questionnaire.
Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. kcampbell@pvs-ec.com.
Kathryn A
KA
Campbell
Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
John T
JT
Payne
Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Michael T
MT
Doornink
Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jamie
J
Haggerty
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome