Biomechanical evaluation of triple pelvic osteotomy with and without additional ventral plate stabilization

Abstract

Summary The triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is commonly performed for immature dogs with hip dysplasia despite screw loosening being a prevalent complication. A technique to diminish the incidence of screw loosening by reducing motion at the ilial osteotomy and reducing implant migration, was evaluated. Standard triple pelvic osteotomies, and triple pelvic osteotomies with additional ventral plate stabilization, were performed and biomechanically evaluated in canine cadaver pelves. Additional ventral plate fixation was found to significantly improve axial bending stiffness of TPOs. In vitro cyclical loading, performed in a manner to approximate post-operative weight-bearing, determined that additional ventral plate fixation significantly decreased the incidence of screw loosening and motion at the osteotomy site.