Pieter Verleyen

TTA Rapid: Description of the Technique and Short Term Clinical Trial Results of the First 50 Cases

OBJECTIVE To (1) describe a modified technique for tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and (2) report short term outcome and complications. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS Dogs with unilateral CCL rupture (n = 50). METHODS TTA was performed with a novel implant to achieve advancement of the tibial crest. The technical protocol, specific implants and instrumentation, and the short term outcome are described. RESULTS Various breeds (mean ± SD weight, 31.9 ± 13.3 kg) were included. Mean age at treatment was 64 ± 30.6 months. Minor complications occurred in 30% and major complications in 4% of the cases. Forty-eight (96%) dogs had a good to excellent outcome 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION The modified technique is a viable alternative to other osteotomy techniques.

Correlation of histology of healed fractures and tissue surrounding implants with ultrasonographic and radiographic appearance

OBJECTIVES To determine if there was histological correlation with ultrasonographic images of healed fractures and implant-associated tissue after fracture treatment by plate osteotomy. METHODS Eight adult dogs were included in this retrospective study. Ultrasonography (B-mode and power Doppler) and radiography were performed before plate removal. Surgical biopsies were taken of the fracture site and the tissue adjacent to the plate. These were stained with haematoxylin and eosin to assess histomorphology and bone content and immunolabelled with CD31 to assess vascularity. RESULTS Ultrasound and radiographic diagnoses of a healed fracture correlated with histological finding of bone healing. Ultrasonography and histology findings of vascularity were also highly correlated. The tissue surrounding the surgical implants was significantly more vascularised on both ultrasonography and histology than that at the fracture site itself. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ultrasonography can be used to diagnose fracture healing in plated fractures. Power Doppler ultrasonography examination of fracture healing should be performed away from surgical implants to avoid false-positive results of vascularisation.

Use of ultrasonography to guide the management of delayed unions in three dogs

DELAYED union is defined as slower than expected fracture healing, which is a vague definition. Delayed union may be associated with poor vascularisation of the fracture, poor immobilisation, a large remaining fracture gap or infection of the fracture ([Morgan 1995][1], [Burk and Ackerman 1996][2