Efficacy of Different Protective Methods of Cranial Tibial Artery, Fibula and Tibial and Fibular Nerves in TPLO: A Comparative Ex-vivo Study in Dogs

Introduction: Over 10 to 34% of all TPLO procedures may lead to minor or major complications. Some of the trans-operative complications include fractures of the fibula and laceration of the popliteal vasculature. The goals of this study were to compare eight methods to protect the cranial tibial artery, fibula, and tibial and fibular nerves during TPLO in dogs.

Materials and Methods: Forty canine cadavers previously prepared with a solution of barium sulphate and coloured latex were randomly divided into eight experimental groups. Radiographs and arteriography were used to assess the integrity of the structures, before and after the osteotomy and anatomical dissection.

Results: Highest incidence of injuries was identified when protection methods were used. However, this difference was not significant (p >0.05). No significant differences regarding efficacy were found between all eight protection methods.

Discussion/Conclusion: Considering only intraoperative injuries, our incidence was much higher than the 1 to 2% found in the literature. Our Results could be influenced by the use of canine cadavers with stiffened latex, which may have reduced the flexibility of the artery. The position of the limb standardized in our study, with the lateral face resting on the surface of the operating table, may have provided extra pressure from the structures of the lateral face toward the osteotomy saw. We conclude that, in cadaveric dogs, the use of surgical compresses, specific retractor type I, modified osteotomy, and surgical retractor type II, does not guarantee protection to the popliteal artery, fibula, and tibial and fibular nerves during TPLO.

Acknowledgement/Funding: This study was financially supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) Grant #2017\25989- 6 also by the Coordination for the improvement of Higher Education Personnel – Brazil (CAPES) – Financing code 001.

Publication History

Article published online:
26 October 2022