title: Evaluation of the use of intra-operative radiology for open placement of lag screws for the stabilization of sacroiliac luxation in cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of intra-operative radiology on the quality of lag screw insertion for the management of sacroiliac joint luxations in cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective single-centre study, the surgical, anaesthetic and imaging records of 40 screws (32 cats) placed with lag effect for management of sacroiliac luxation were reviewed. Postoperative radiographs were assessed for sacroiliac joint reduction, screw position, and sacral width purchased by each screw. Cases were divided into two groups according to the use of (IOR) or the absence of intra-operative radiology (NIOR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 23 lag screws were placed with the aid of intra-operative radiology and 17 without. Three of the 23 screws placed in the IOR group exited the sacrum as opposed to eight of 17 screws in the NIOR group (p = 0.03). Mean sacral width purchased by the screws in the IOR group (70.8%) was also significantly higher (p = 0.002) than in the NIOR group (54.6%). Mean general anaesthetic times for unilateral and bilateral screw placement for the IOR group and NIOR group were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of intra-operative radiology can significantly improve the quality of lag screw insertion for the stabilization of sacroiliac luxations in cats, which should lead to a reduced incidence of postoperative screw loosening.
authors.affiliation: Francisco Silveira, MSc, MRCVS, Dick White Referrals, Station Farm, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Newmarket, CB8 0UH, United Kingdom, Phone: +44 1638 572012, Fax: +44 1638 572013, E-mail: franciscoorsilveira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Adrian
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bush
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography / Q000662:veterinary*; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Sacroiliac luxation; cat; intra-operative radiology; lag screw