Complications associated with corrective surgery for patellar luxation in 109 dogs

OBJECTIVE: To review surgical techniques and postoperative complications associated with correction of patellar luxation in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 109) with patellar luxation (n = 131). METHODS: Medical records of dogs that had corrective surgery for patellar luxation were reviewed. Signalment, history, grade and direction of patellar luxation, operative technique and clinical outcomes were retrieved. RESULTS: Overall frequency of postoperative complications was 18%. Frequency of major (requiring revision surgery) complications was 13%. Frequency of patellar reluxation was 8%. Frequency of overall, major, and patellar reluxation complications was higher for dogs weighing > or =20 kg compared with those <20 kg. Frequency of overall and major complications was higher for dogs with higher grades of patellar luxation. Femoral trochlear sulcoplasty resulted in lower frequency of patellar reluxation. Tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT) resulted in lower frequency of major complications and patellar reluxation. Retinacular/capsular release resulted in higher frequency of major complications. Patient age, gender, medial versus lateral patellar luxation, left versus right hindlimb, capsular/retinacular imbrication, use of anti-rotational sutures, and whether stifle surgery had been performed previously did not significantly influence frequency of complications. CONCLUSION: TTT and femoral trochlear sulcoplasty minimize the risk of postoperative patellar reluxation and major complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Information derived from this study can be used to estimate the likelihood of postoperative complications for canine patients undergoing corrective surgery for patellar luxation.