Short-Term Postoperative Complications and Outcome after Surgical Stabilization of Medial and Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Dogs Using a Locking Implant System

Introduction: Humeral condylar fractures (HCF) are common in the canine patient. Postoperative complications are frequently reported, and fixation method has been identified as a risk factor. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of stabilization of medial and lateral humeral condylar fractures with an epicondylar synthes locking compression plate (LCP) in combination with a transcondylar screw in dogs. Our hypothesis was that this fixation would result in minimization of mechanical failure and lead to few overall postoperative complications and comparable clinical outcome to what seen in previous studies.

Materials and Methods: Medical records from one referral hospital were reviewed for dogs with medial or lateral HCF treated with an epicondylar LCP in combination with a transcondylar screw between 2014 and 2018. Radiographic follow-up and assessment of clinical outcome was performed 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively.

Results: A total of 56 cases met the inclusion criteria. Four (7.1%) minor and two (3.5%) major complications were recorded and no mechanical failures were encountered. Clinical outcome was excellent in 46/ 56 (79%) dogs and good in 10/ 56 (21%) dogs.

Discussion/Conclusion: The result of this study confirms that an epicondylar LCP in combination with a transcondylar screw leads to low complication rates and comparable clinical outcome compared with previously described methods for HCF fixation.

Acknowledgment: There was no proprietary interest or funding provided for this project.