Modified De Vita pinning technique for the management of canine hip luxation: preliminary findings

OBJECTIVE: To describe for the first time a modification of the De Vita pinning technique to manage hip luxation in the dog and to assess its use in a preliminary study. DESIGN: A prospective, clinical study using five client-owned dogs with naturally occurring injuries. PROCEDURE: A modified De Vita pinning technique was employed, using a nonthreaded Steinmann pin to reduce the risk of trauma to the sciatic nerve during pin insertion. The pin was anchored by implanted Kirschner-Ehmer clamps in an attempt to lower the risk of postoperative pin migration. RESULTS: Surgical outcome was very favourable with respect to pain on manipulation, restriction of range of movement and lameness in all dogs as assessed by veterinary examination. In four of five dogs, owners also reported normal movement at rest, walk and trot. The fifth dog was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study found that a modified De Vita pinning technique was useful in dogs with uni and bilateral hip luxation and hip luxation in the presence of other limb injuries. The modified technique may provide a sound surgical alternative to existing procedures. The described modification allows the use of a nonthreaded pin and also substantially reduces the risk of postoperative pin migration.