Does Use of a Jig Influence the Precision of Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the precision of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery when performed with or without a jig. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadaveric, adult greyhound hindlimbs (n=9 pair). METHODS: TPLO (n=18) was performed on each limb pair; 1 with and 1 without use of a jig. Measurements taken from pre- and postsurgical radiographs were osteotomy position, tibial plateau angle (TPA), varus-valgus malalignment, and tibial torsion. The null hypothesis was that TPLO precision was not affected by use of a jig. Student's t-test was used to investigate differences in TPA, osteotomy location, and frequency and extent of iatrogenic limb malalignment; P<.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in postsurgical TPA, tibial crest thickness, varus-valgus malalignment, or tibial torsion between TPLOs performed with or without a jig. Osteotomy location was significantly more distal when a jig was used (P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Jig use did not improve the precision of TPLO surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Performing TPLO without a jig should reduce surgery time, eliminate complications related to placement of the distal jig pin and allow unhindered positioning of the osteotomy.     

Single-stage Bilateral Tibial Tuberosity Advancement With Cranial Fixation in an English Bulldog – A Case Report

This article presents a report of single-stage bilateral tibial tuberosity advancement for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in an English bulldog. The reconstruction was performed by a new surgical technique involving tibial tuberosity advancement and fixation with two cranially placed lag screws. The patient was able to ambulate normally at a walk without lameness four days postoperatively. Except for bruising of the surgical site, no complications were observed during a six-month follow-up period.