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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2017; 30(04): 1-9
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-16-07-0102
Clinical Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Percutaneous tibial physeal fracture repair in small animals: technique and 17 cases

Dirsko J. F. von Pfeil
1   Friendship Surgical Specialists of the Friendship Hospital for Animals, Washington, DC, USA
2   Veterinary Specialists of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, USA
,
Mathieu Glassman
1   Friendship Surgical Specialists of the Friendship Hospital for Animals, Washington, DC, USA
,
Meaghan Ropski
1   Friendship Surgical Specialists of the Friendship Hospital for Animals, Washington, DC, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 11 July 2016

Accepted: 18 April 2017

Publication Date:
12 October 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: To retrospectively describe cases treated via percutaneous tibial physeal fracture repair (PTPFR), using intra-operative fluoroscopy (IFL) or digital radiography (DR). To describe a technique (“spiking”), used to treat tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures.

Methods: Clinical data of 14 dogs and three cats were included. The “spiking” technique was described.

Results: Intra-operative fluoroscopy (n = 11) and DR (n = 6) were successfully used in 11 tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures, one combined proximal physeal and tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture, and five distal tibial/fibular physeal fractures. Surgery times ranged from eight to 54 minutes. The “spiking” technique was successfully applied in six tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture cases. Return to function was at a mean (± standard deviation) of 1.9 (± 1.6) weeks. Long-term (>12 months; n = 17) follow-up was available at a mean of 40.6 (± 13.4) months. Major complications consisted of skin irritation from a pin (distal tibia / fibula physeal fracture case; 8 weeks post-PTPFR), and a bilateral grade II medial patella luxation (tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture case; 1.5 years post-PTPFR). One case developed a mild tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture re-avulsion. All conditions in these three cases were not of clinical concern at follow-up and final outcome was graded as good in these and excellent in the other 14 cases.

Clinical significance: Percutaneous tibial physeal fracture repair can be considered as a technique to treat tibial physeal fractures. The “spiking” technique was successfully applied in six dogs. A larger, prospective case series is indicated to provide additional clinical information.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.3415/VCOT-16-07-0102

Keywords

Minimally invasive osteosynthesis - percutaneous pinning - tibial physeal fracture - tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture - dog - cat

 

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