Summary
Objective: To compare the outcome of the tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure,
using a 6-hole 3.5 mm locking TPLO plate and performed with the muscle elevation technique
(ET) and placement of sponges, to the TPLO without performing these steps (non-elevation-technique
[NET]).
Material and methods: Medical records and radiographs of dogs with ET (n = 21) or NET (n = 19) were retrospectively
reviewed. Signalment, TPLO procedure side, meniscal treatment, surgery time, haemorrhage,
preand postoperative tibial plateau angle, assistant, amount of rehabilitation, bone
healing (cortical, osteotomy, combined healing scores), complications, limb function,
recovery time and follow-up were recorded and analysed using multivariate analysis.
A value of p <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Surgery time was significantly shorter with the NET (68.5 min ± 3.4) than with the
ET (87.8 min ± 3.4) (p <0.01). No significant differences were detected for all other
evaluated factors. Soft tissue trauma was minimal and none of the dogs suffered severe
haemorrhage. The bone healing scores with the NET and the ET were not significantly
different (p = 0.1, p = 0.2, p = 0.1). Complications were rare, minor and not significantly
different between groups (p = 0.73).
Clinical relevance: The results of this in vivo study indicate that NET is a feasible technique that can be considered for the clinical
setting.
Keywords
Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy - muscle envelope - popliteal artery - popliteal
vein - dog - stifle