Comparison of Single versus Double Lateral Plating in Treatment of Feline Ilial Fractures Using Veterinary Cuttable Plates

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of implant failure and the extent of pelvic canal narrowing associated with the fixation of ilial fractures in cats with a single veterinary cuttable plate (SLP) or double veterinary cuttable plates (DLP) applied to the lateral surface of the ilium.

STUDY DESIGN:  Radiographic evaluation of feline ilial fractures plated laterally using SLP or DLP. Pelvic canal narrowing directly postoperatively and at 6 weeks follow-up was objectively measured using the sacral index (SI). Radiographs were evaluated for implant failure and fracture healing.

RESULTS:  Seventy-seven cats satisfied the inclusion criteria. Twenty-nine fractures were treated with a SLP and 48 with DLP. Implant failure occurred significantly more (p = 0.001) in the SLP group (14/29) compared with the DLP group (6/48). Follow-up SI was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.048, SLP median: 1.0 range: 0.83-2.4, DLP median: 0.98; range: 0.76-1.45). Median change in SI was -0.04 (range: -1.4 to 0.05) in the SLP group and 0.0 (range: -0.23 to 0.23) in the DLP group. This difference was significantly different (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSION:  DLP leads to significantly less implant failure and significantly less pelvic canal narrowing compared with SLP. This difference in pelvic canal narrowing was small and the clinical relevance remains unclear.