Triple osteotomy of the pelvis and trochanteric osteotomy as a treatment for hip dysplasia in the immature dog: the surgical technique and results of 77 consecutive operations

Triple osteotomy of the pelvis with transplantation of the greater trochanter was performed in 41 immature dogs (77 hips) with hip dysplasia. Before surgery, all hips were moderately to severely subluxated and unstable on palpation. The juxta-acetabular location of the ilial, ischial, and pubic osteotomies allowed repositioning of the acetabulum over the femoral head even when subluxation was severe. The acetabular fragment was rotated 70 degrees to 90 degrees in all hips. After surgery, craniodorsal coverage of the femoral head was increased and each hip was stable on palpation. Bilateral procedures were performed 4 to 7 weeks apart. The functional status of the limb was assessed and physical examination and radiography were performed in 71% (55) of the hips 1.0 to 5.5 years (mean, 2.7 years) after surgery. Functional ability was considered satisfactory in 93% (51) of the limbs, though few dogs had a normal gait. On palpation, all hips were stable and all but one were evaluated as nonpainful. In most instances, contact between the femoral neck and the repositioned acetabular rim resulted in a variable amount of crepitus and restriction of motion when the hip was abducted and rotated externally and internally. Eighty-two percent (45) of the hips had little or no evidence of degenerative joint disease. A satisfactory functional, physical, and radiographic result was obtained in 73% (40) of the hips.     

Proximal femoral epiphyseal separation in the dog

Twenty-two cases of displaced upper femoral epiphysis in the dog have been reviewed with regard to the incidence, aetiology, radiographic and histological changes. The majority of the cases followed a severe traumatic episode but a significant number were associated with relatively trivial injuries. On histological examination necrosis of the epiphysis was common but the majority showed a rapid revascularization unassociated with collapse and deformity. The prevalence of the Labrador Retriever in the cases presented is noted.     

Percutaneous catheterization of the femoral artery in the dog

A new method is described for percutaneous catheterization of the femoral artery in the dog. This technique proved to be satisfactory and produced no untoward sequelae.     

Intertrochanteric osteotomy in the dog: theoretical consideration and operative technique

Intertrochanteric osteotomy of the proximal femur is a technique which improves the biomechanics of a dysplastic hip joint and reduces the pain commonly present in this hip malformation. The pre-operative planning and surgical technique are described.     

Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in the dog

One hundred total ear canal ablation/lateral bulla osteotomy procedures were performed in 71 dogs over a four year period. The main indication for surgery was advanced disease of the aural canal or middle ear resulting from prolonged inflammatory disease of the outer ear. Complications of surgery included facial nerve injury, inner ear injury, retroglenoid vein haemorrhage and wound dehiscion. The incidence of complications (29 per cent) was, however, substantially lower than has previously been recorded following this procedure. Meticulous dissection technique and increasing familiarity with the procedure were thought to be responsible for lower complication rates than have previously been recorded. Surgery was considered to have resolved the original aural condition in 92 per cent of cases and only infrequently resulted in complete loss of hearing function.     

Osteosarcoma at the site of a triple pelvic osteotomy in a dog

An osteosarcoma (OSA) involving the right pelvis was diagnosed in a 12-year-old golden retriever 11 years after triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) surgery. The dog was presented with a 12-week history of nonweight-bearing lameness of the right hind limb. Radiographs demonstrated an aggressive bone lesion of the right ilium with profound periosteal proliferation and punctate lysis that extended along the ilium caudally and into the right ischium, with its epicenter at the level of the right TPO plate. Necropsy revealed that the entire right hemipelvis, especially the ischium, was markedly thickened and firm with irregular margins. Histopathology was consistent with a diagnosis of OSA.     

Measurement of femoral angles in four dog breeds

Objective— To develop a standard method of measurement for femoral angles and report values for normal Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers.
Study Design— Retrospective evaluation of canine pelvis and femoral radiographs.
Sample Population— Radiographs of Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers (n=100 for each breed).
Methods— Anatomic lateral distal and proximal femoral angle, mechanical lateral distal and proximal femoral angle, and femoral angle of inclination were measured from radiographs.
Results— For the 4 breeds (Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers, respectively) anatomic lateral distal femoral angles were 97°, 97°, 94°, and 98°; mechanical lateral distal femoral angles were 100°, 100°, 97°, and 100°; anatomic lateral proximal femoral angles were 103°, 98°, 101°, and 96°; mechanical lateral proximal femoral angles were 100°, 95°, 97°, and 93°; and inclination angles were 134°, 134°, 132°, and 137°. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers had significantly higher values for both anatomic and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle than German Shepherds. Anatomic and mechanical lateral proximal angles were greatest for Labrador Retrievers and lowest for Rottweilers.
Conclusion— Anatomic and mechanical femoral joint angles vary between breeds of dogs.
Clinical Relevance— Values for femoral joint angles may be clinically useful for angular limb deformity diagnosis, treatment, and assessment.     

Sagittal pubic osteotomy in the investigation and treatment of intrapelvic neoplasia in the dog

Sagittal pubic osteotomy was used as the surgical approach in 24 cases of intrapelvic neoplasia in the dog. Thirteen cases involved the urethra, seven cases the colorectum, one case the prostate and three cases the iliac periosteum. Surgical excision was performed in 10 cases of urethral neoplasia, four cases of rectal neoplasia, two cases of periosteal fibrosarcoma and one case of chondrosarcoma. The remaining cases were assessed as inoperable due to the extent of disease and euthanasia was carried out. Access to intrapelvic structures via a caudal midline laparotomy, perineal or dorsal routes or via an episiotomy is severely limited. The structures within the pelvic canal most likely to require surgical attention are the urethra, rectum and prostate. Procedures which require wide excision, accurate anastomotic techniques or relocation of intrapelvic organs necessitate an approach that allows generous exposure. A simple method of pubic osteotomy has been employed which has allowed resection of intrapelvic neoplasms.     

Effect of triple pelvic osteotomy on the proximal femoral geometry in dysplastic dogs

Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is one of the surgical procedures for use to try to reduce subsequent degenerative joint disease or modify the progress of hip dysplasia in young dogs. Joint force and pressure distribution were changed by this procedure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out whether the remodeling of proximal femur exists or not after TPO in dysplastic dogs. Ten femora from five young dysplastic mongrel dogs, treated unilaterally with TPO using 20° canine pelvic osteotomy plates, were used. One year after TPO, neck-proximal shaft angle, femoral head, neck, diaphyseal and mid-shaft diameters, total femoral, femoral neck axis, and intertrochanteric, femoral head offset lengths as well as the lengths from head center to lateral margin of greater trochanter and to proximal femoral axis were measured from the bone. The significant differences between treatment and control side were determined in Norberg angle, neck-proximal shaft angle, neck diameter, diaphyseal diameter, mid-shaft diameter, length from head center to proximal femoral axis and femoral head offset length. In conclusion, although small number of cases was used, it was determined that the aforementioned variables are affected by TPO. So, these variables may be supply additional information about the changes to the joint following TPO in dysplastic dogs.     

Changes of biomechanical characteristics of the bone in experimental tibial osteotomy model in the dog

Experimental osteotomy model of canine tibia was prepared to investigate the changes in biomechanical characteristics during the healing process. After 16 weeks, although radiographs revealed that fracture healing proceeded, the recovery rates of the mechanical parameters ranged from 12.3 to 47.3%, compared to the intact side. After 32 weeks, those recovered to 68.9-93.2%. These results suggested that the biomechanical characteristics of the healing bone could not be recovered sufficiently even after the passage of the healing period which has been empirically proposed from clinical findings. It was also considered that evaluation of the mechanical parameters using this osteotomy model would be suitable for investigating the effect of osteoinductive growth factors on fracture healing.