Bilateral locking compression plate and transcondylar screw fixation for stabilization of canine bicondylar humeral fractures

Abstract

Objective: To report the surgical management, complications, and short-term outcomes for dogs with humeral Y-T fractures (ie, fractures affecting the medial and lateral aspect of the humeral condyle extending from the articular surface) that had been approached bilaterally (medial and lateral) and stabilized with two locking compression plates (LCP) and to investigate risk factors for major complications in the short term.

Study design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Twenty-eight client-owned dogs.

Methods: Medical records of 28 dogs that presented with 29 consecutive Y-T fractures that had been approached bilaterally, reduced, and stabilized by using a transcondylar screw (in lag or positional fashion) and two or three LCP were reviewed. All dogs had at least 6 weeks clinical follow-up, and in some cases, responses from the long-term owner-based University of Liverpool questionnaire for owners of dogs with mobility problems (Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs) was obtained.

Results: Twenty-eight dogs (29 fractures) presented with Y-T fractures and met the inclusion criteria. The fractures were reduced and stabilized with bilateral LCP and screws. The French bulldog (n = 7) was the most commonly represented breed. Age ranged from 4 months to 9.5 years (mean, 43.53 ± 34.63 months); seven (25%) dogs were considered skeletally immature. Twenty-seven (96.4%) dogs were considered to have had resolution of lameness at 6 weeks. Major complications were registered in two (7%) dogs; one dog required surgical revision, and one dog had catastrophic complications leading to amputation of the limb. The owner-based questionnaire was available for 18 (64%) dogs.

Conclusion: Management of canine Y-T humeral fractures stabilized with bilateral LCP and transcondylar screws led to a low complication rate with a good to excellent long-term outcome according to responses on the client questionnaire. Risk factors for major complications were not identified in our sample population.

Clinical significance: Management of Y-T humeral fractures stabilized with bilateral LCP and transcondylar screws can lead to good to excellent short-term outcome with a low complication rate in mature and immature dogs.