Download PDF
CC BY 4.0 · VCOT Open 2020; 03(02): e140-e145
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1717105
Case Report

Modified Circumcostal Suture Stabilization of Scapular Avulsion in a Maine Coon Cat

Victoria J. Roberts
1   Pride Veterinary Centre, Riverside Road, Derby, United Kingdom
,
Oliver Gilman
2   Highcroft Veterinary Referrals, Whitchurch, Bristol, United Kingdom
,
Matt Matiasovic 
3   IVC Evidensia Netherlands Dierenziekenhuis Hart van Brabant, Waalwijk, the Netherlands
,
Ricardo De Sousa
4   Hamilton Specialist Referrals, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study describes the surgical management of a traumatic scapular avulsion including complications and clinical outcome in a 3-year-old Maine Coon cat. Traumatic scapular avulsion was diagnosed clinically and confirmed on a computed tomography scan, alongside severe scapula displacement. The scapula was stabilized surgically by the placement of two circumcostal sutures, through paired bone tunnels drilled both cranial and caudal to the base of the scapular spine, and two sutures passing through bone tunnels in the dorsal border of the scapula bone secured to the serratus ventralis muscle. The cat was able to bear weight on the affected limb within 48 hours of surgery; however, limb function subsequently deteriorated at home. Revision surgery was required 14 days postoperatively to replace failed polydioxanone suture with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene suture (Fiberwire). Following revision surgery, the cat had a very acceptable functional outcome, with scapular stability and only intermittent lameness/stiffness noted in the medium-term follow-up. The present case report demonstrates that the described modified surgical technique may be used successfully in the treatment of scapular avulsion in cats and restores acceptable function to the affected limb.

Keywords

feline - scapula - luxation - traumatic - surgery


Publication History

Received: 31 March 2020

Accepted: 24 August 2020

Article published online:
07 October 2020

© .

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 

  • References

  • 1 DeCamp C, Johnston SA, Dejardin LM, Schaefer SL. The shoulder joint. In: Brinker, Piermattei, and Flo’s Handbook of Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair. 5th edition. St. Louis, Missouri, USA: Elsevier; 2006: 260-297
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Hoerlein BF, Evans LE, Davis JM. Upward luxation of the canine scapula--a case report. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1960; 136: 258-259
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Perry KL, Lam R, Rutherford L, Arthurs GI. A case of scapular avulsion with concomitant scapular fracture in a cat. J Feline Med Surg 2012; 14 (12) 946-951
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Jones SC, Tinga S, Porter EG, Lewis D. Surgical management of dorsal scapular luxation in three dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2017; 30 (01) 75-80
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Voss K, Langley-Hobbs SJ, Montavon PM. Scapula. In: Montavon PM, Voss K, Langley-Hobbs SJ. , eds. Feline Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Disease. Edinburgh: Saunders Elsevier; 2009: 329-336
    Google Scholar
  • 6 Butterworth S, Cook J. The shoulder. In: Houlton J, Cook J, Innes J. , eds. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Musculoskeletal Disorders. Gloucester, UK: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2006: 212-248
    Google Scholar
  • 7 Jones C, Brooker B, Genon M. Comparison of open and closed staff-assisted glove donning on the nature of surgical glove cuff contamination. ANZ J Surg 2010; 80 (03) 174-177
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Kano WT, Rahal SC, Mesquita LdosR, Agostinho FS, de Faria LG. Gait analysis in a cat with scapular luxation and contralateral forelimb amputation. Can Vet J 2013; 54 (10) 990-991
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Lancelles DX. Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index. Secondary Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index. 2015. . Accessed September 24, 2020 at: https://painfreecats.org/pain-scale/
    Google Scholar
  • 10 Schultz S. Diseases of the joints. In: Fossum T. , ed. Small Animal Surgery. 4th edition. St Louis, Missouri, USA: Elsevier Mosby; 2013: 1246-37
    Google Scholar
  • 11 Ozsoy S, Güzel O. Dorsal luxation of the scapula in a cat. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 2013; 37: 618-620
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Peck J, Scapula Tobias K, Johnson S. , eds. Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal. 2nd edition. St Louis, Missouri, USA: Saunders Elsevier; 2018: 690-691
    Google Scholar
  • 13 Lewis DD, Milthorpe BK, Bellenger CR. Mechanical comparison of materials used for extra-capsular stabilisation of the stifle joint in dogs. Aust Vet J 1997; 75 (12) 890-896
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Störk CK, Gibson NR, Owen MR. et al. Radiographic features of a lateral extracapsular wire suture in the canine cranial cruciate deficient stifle. J Small Anim Pract 2001; 42 (10) 487-490
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Gines JA, Friend EJ, Vives MA, Browne WJ, Tarlton JF, Chanoit G. Mechanical comparison of median sternotomy closure in dogs using polydioxanone and wire sutures. J Small Anim Pract 2011; 52 (11) 582-586
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Shimizu N, Tarlton J, Friend E, Doran I, Parsons K. Tensile comparison of polydioxanone, polyglyconate, and barbed glycolide-trimethylene carbonate suture in canine cadaveric tensor fascia lata. Vet Surg 2017; 46 (01) 89-94
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Rose ND, Goerke D, Evans RB, Conzemius MG. Mechanical testing of orthopedic suture material used for extra-articular stabilization of canine cruciate ligament-deficient stifles. Vet Surg 2012; 41 (02) 266-272
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Anderson DM, White RA. Ischemic bandage injuries: a case series and review of the literature. Vet Surg 2000; 29 (06) 488-498
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Stadig S, Lascelles BDX, Nyman G, Bergh A. Evaluation and comparison of pain questionnaires for clinical screening of osteoarthritis in cats. Vet Rec 2019; 185 (24) 757
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Benito J, Depuy V, Hardie E. et al. Reliability and discriminatory testing of a client-based metrology instrument, feline musculoskeletal pain index (FMPI) for the evaluation of degenerative joint disease-associated pain in cats. Vet J 2013; 196 (03) 368-373
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar