Feline Ilial Fractures: Assessment of Screw Loosening and Pelvic Canal Narrowing After Lateral Plating

Abstract

Pelvic canal narrowing >45% is associated with a high risk of recurrent constipation.

Screw Loosening and Pelvic Canal Narrowing After Lateral Plating of Feline Ilial Fractures With Locking and Nonlocking Plates

“…Both single and double locking plate constructs were associated with statistically significantly less screw loosening than were nonlocking plates. Loose screws were detected in 50% of the fractures plated with DCP, which is similar to rates reported by others for nonlocking devices . Screw loosening did not occur in cats with 1 or 2 LPS, except for 1 screw that was placed in the fracture line.…”

“…The narrow width of the ilial wing and body, which allows only limited bone purchase, has been suggested as a predisposing factor for the high rate of screw loosening associated with lateral plating of the ilium . In a recent study in cats it was demonstrated that screws have less than 80% bone purchase per unit length of ilium compared to dogs . Poor screw bone purchase may explain the high rate of screw loosening in lateral plating of the feline ilium …”

“…Loss of pelvic alignment or pelvic narrowing was reflected by a negative value for change in SI. Fracture reduction was evaluated by a single investigator on orthogonal radiographs and classified as anatomic, near anatomic, good, fair, or poor …”

“…One retrospective study found the ilium was fractured in up to 50% of cats, and another study reported ilial fractures in 13 of 34 cats with pelvic injuries . Although there are no explicit indications for surgical repair of pelvic fractures, surgical intervention is recommended if there are neurologic deficits and nerve impingement, excessive pain, acetabular involvement, narrowing of the pelvic canal or involvement of the weight‐bearing axis …”

“…A recent study evaluating cuttable plates and dynamic compression plates for lateral plating in 21 cats reported a high frequency of screw loosening (62%) and potential loss of fixation associated with more severe pelvic canal narrowing. However, the clinical relevance of this pelvic narrowing remains unclear …”