title: Major complications of tibial tuberosity advancement in 1613 dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report major postoperative complications in 1613 dogs with tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n = 1613) with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency treated with TTA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of TTAs performed between December 2007-2013 were reviewed for age, sex, weight, contralateral stifle surgery, surgical approach, duration of preoperative lameness, presence of meniscal damage, concurrent patellar luxation and simultaneous bilateral TTA. Major postoperative complications were defined as surgical site infection (SSI) (superficial, deep, or organ/space), implant failure, fracture, patellar luxation, and meniscal tear.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major complications were recorded in 13.4% of cases. Superficial SSI (incisional irritation) was diagnosed in 6.9% cases, requiring only antimicrobial therapy. Other complications included postliminary medial meniscal tear (2% incidence), deep SSI (incisional dehiscence, 1.1%), implant failure (1%), patellar luxation (1.2%), fracture (0.9%), and organ/space SSI (septic arthritis, 0.4%). Dogs with normal menisci were less likely to develop postliminary meniscal tears if the medial meniscus was released at the time of TTA (P < .0001). No association was detected between recorded parameters and complications, although dogs >8 years old approached significance (P = .05) in terms of predisposition to major complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Major complications after TTA are uncommon, even in dogs with concurrent patellar luxation or bilateral simultaneous procedures. In spite of its morbidity, medial meniscal release may prevent postliminary meniscal tears.
authors.affiliation: Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Surgical Specialists, Tustin, California.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Surgical Specialists, Tustin, California.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cambridge
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Surgical Specialists, Tustin, California.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sebestyen
authors.affiliation: Dr. Su Statistics, Kaunakakai, Hawaii.
authors.forename: Yuhua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fahie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D031222:Patellar Dislocation / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000662:veterinary