Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate factors contributing to the need for non-elective
explant following surgical repair of tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures.
Study Design Retrospective multicentre case–control study. Over a 5-year period, dogs (n = 63) that underwent surgical repair of tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures (n = 64) were considered. Dogs that underwent a non-elective explant were compared with
those that did not. Continuous variables were compared with the Mann–Whitney U test.
Categorical variables were compared with the Fisher's exact test. Variables which
were significant on univariate analysis were entered into a multiple logistic regression
model. Significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results Non-elective explant was performed in 20/64 fractures and elective explant was performed
in 2/64 fractures. Neutered dogs were found to be 19 times (95% confidence interval:
2.1–172) more likely to require explant compared with intact dogs (p = 0.009). Every 0.25 mm increase in average pin size was found to make it 2.5 times
(95% confidence interval: 1.3–4.9) more likely to require explant (p = 0.006).
Conclusion The findings suggest that use of the smallest appropriate pin should be considered
for standard surgical repair of tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures to minimize the
risk of requiring non-elective explant.
Keywords
tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture - tension band - implant migration - dog - explant