Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in eleven cats with cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
OBJECTIVE
To report the surgical procedure, intra- and postoperative complications, and short-term follow-up of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) in feline patients with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture using a 2.0 or 2.4 mm Synthes® TPLO plate.


STUDY DESIGN
Prospective study.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
Eleven cats with a CrCL rupture were included in the study. Inspection of intra-articular structures was carried out via arthroscopy or arthrotomy. Each patient was re-examined one and 10 days after surgery. Orthopaedic examination and follow-up radiographs were obtained four to 12 weeks postoperatively.


RESULTS
Two meniscopathies and one partial CrCL rupture were detected. Minor intra-operative complications occurred in five cats (suboptimal positioning of the plate [n = 3], proximal fibular fracture [n = 1], a visible osteotomy gap [n = 1]). Postoperatively, minor complications were detected in three cats (mild patellar desmitis [n = 2], superficial wound infection [n = 1]). No additional surgical reintervention, graded as major complication, was necessary. Four to eight weeks postoperatively, all cats showed no to mild intermittent lameness. Complete bone union was apparent within four to 12 weeks. Owners reported a high level of comfort and mobility during the last follow-up.


CONCLUSION
The preliminary results of this study support the use of TPLO in cats, but larger case numbers are needed to evaluate its practicability, as well as long-term outcome (>1 year), especially evaluating the development and the clinical relevance of osteoarthritis.
['Mindner|Julia K|JK|', 'Bielecki|Malgorzata J|MJ|', 'Scharvogel|Stefan|S|', 'Meiler|Diane|D|']
D000818:Animals D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries D002415:Cats D005260:Female D008297:Male D010027:Osteotomy D011859:Radiography D012421:Rupture D013977:Tibia D016896:Treatment Outcome
tibial plateau levelling osteotomy cat cranial cruciate ligament rupture complications TPLO feline short-term outcome