Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2025; 38(04): A1-A35
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810276
PODIUM ABSTRACTS

Comparison of Debridement of the Canine Antebrachiocarpal Joint by Arthrotomy versus Arthroscopy

M. R. Luebcke
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
,
K. Spies
2   WestVet Meridian Specialty and Emergency Hospital, Meridian, Idaho, United States
,
S. Malek
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
,
G. Moore
3   Department of Veterinary Administration, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
,
M. C. Rochat
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
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Introduction: Pancarpal arthrodesis in dogs involves debridement of all articular cartilage to the level of subchondral bone. Arthrotomy is the surgical approach used for cartilage debridement but may increase postoperative complication rates due to damage to adjacent soft tissues and blood supply. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of arthroscopic debridement of the antebrachiocarpal (AC) joint compared with arthrotomy.

Materials and Methods: Nine pairs of cadaveric canine thoracic limbs were randomly assigned to one of three groups to undergo debridement of the AC joint using a rigid 1.9 mm 30 degrees arthroscope (group 1), a flexible 1.9 mm 0 degrees arthroscope (group 2) or arthrotomy (group3). The AC joint surfaces (collectively, the radius (R), radiocarpal (RC), ulna (U) and ulnarcarpal (UC) bones) were photographed both pre- and poststaining with India ink to evaluate for per cent debrided surface area (%DSA) and completeness of debridement (%C).

Results: Analysis using a linear mixed model for repeated measures found that %DSA and %C were not significantly different amongst procedure groups (p > 0.05). However, both %DSA and %C did significantly differ amongst bone surfaces (p < 0.0001). While the %DSA did not significantly differ between the R and RC bones, the U and UC bones differed from both R, RC, and each other (p < 0.0001).

Discussion/Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that arthroscopic debridement of the AC joint is both feasible and comparable to the traditional arthrotomy in achieving cartilage debridement. Clinical studies comparing arthroscopic debridement to arthrotomy in dogs undergoing pancarpal arthrodesis are warranted.

Acknowledgment

Research grant support for this study was provided by Arthrex Vet, Inc. IIRR-01807 and the 2024 Summer Research Scholar Program for M.R.L. was supported by Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine and Boehringer Ingelheim.



Publication History

Article published online:
15 July 2025

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