34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

To provide the first reported use of locking plates to stabilise the greater trochanter of the femur, following osteotomy to gain access for acetabular fracture repair.

Methods:

Osteotomy of the greater trochanter of the femur is a technique frequently used to gain access to the acetabulum for fracture repair. Fixation of the greater trochanter with pins and wire is associated with a high level of complication and abnormalities seen in 62% of cases (Whitelock, Dyce, Houlton, 1997).

Prior to performing the osteotomy a Synthes locking compression plate (LCP) was contoured and applied to the lateral aspect of the proximal femur; including coverage over the greater trochanter.  The plate was removed and osteotomy performed. After the acetabular fracture was repaired; the greater trochanter was reduced and stabilised by re-applying the plate via the pre-existing screw holes.

 

Patient 1: 4kg, Domestic Short Haired cat, greater trochanter stabilised with 2.4mm LCP.

Patient 2: 38kg, English Setter dog, greater trochanter stabilised with 3.5mm LCP.

Results:

Radiographic union of the osteotomy was observed at 8 and 6 weeks respectively; with no implant-associated complications or abnormalities observed. Follow-up after 12 months revealed no clinical signs associated with implant complication.

Conclusions:

Locking plate stabilisation of greater trochanteric osteotomy provided stable fixation without complication in both patients and could be considered an effective procedure in both canines and felines.