Summary
The tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is one of the most common surgical procedures
used to treat cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs. Complications occurring during
or after TPLO can range in severity from swelling and bruising to fracture and osteomyelitis.
Ten to 34% of TPLO surgical procedures are reported to experience a complication and
approximately two to four percent require revision surgery to address a complication.
Although the risk factors for many complications have not been fully assessed, the
best available evidence suggests that complications of TPLO can be reduced with increased
surgeon experience, careful surgical planning, and accurate execution of the surgical
procedure. Identification of known or suspected risk factors and intraoperative technical
errors allow subsequent action to be taken that is aimed at decreasing postoperative
morbidity. There is a need for prospective studies with consistent data reporting
in order to fully reveal the incidence risk factors for complications associated with
TPLO.
Keywords
Cranial cruciate ligament rupture - complication - surgery - review - outcomes