Feline Ilial Fractures: A Prospective Study of Dorsal Plating and Comparison with Lateral Plating

Objective—To (1) report a technique for repair of feline ilial fractures using a dorsally applied bone plate and (2) compare outcome with cats treated by a lateral plate.
Study Design—Prospective study.
Animals—Cats (n=10) with iliac fractures.
Methods—Cats with ilial fractures (January 2005–December 2006) were treated by application of a dorsally applied bone plate. Immediate postoperative radiographs were compared with those taken 4–6 weeks later to assess screw loosening, screw purchase, and pelvic canal narrowing. Owners were contacted for medium-term (>3 month) follow-up. Data were compared with a report of outcome after lateral plating (LP) in 21 cats.
Results—Mean (± SD) screw purchase (89 ± 11 mm) was significantly greater (P<.01) with a dorsal plate compared with a lateral plate (33 ± 8 mm). Significantly more screws (P<.01) were used with a dorsal plate (median, 7) compared with a lateral plate (median, 6). Significantly less postoperative pelvic canal narrowing developed in the dorsal plating group between postoperative and 4–6-week follow-up radiography compared with the LP group (2% versus 15%, P<.01).
Conclusion—Dorsal plating of feline ilial fractures results in significantly less screw loosening and pelvic canal narrowing at 4–6 weeks after surgery compared with LP.