Summary
Objective: To evaluate a cohort of dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO)
implant removal to determine key clinical features, prevalence, and indications for
implant removal.
Methods: Medical records of dogs undergoing TPLO implant removal at a private referral practice
(Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center) between 2004–2008 were reviewed. Patient signalment,
implant type, presence of concurrent medical disease, surgeon, antibiotic use, aerobic
bacterial culture result, and operative findings were recorded. Data were analyzed
using paired t-test, Fisher’s exact test, and Wilcoxon-rank sum test. Statistical
significance was set at p <0.05.
Results: The TPLO implants were removed from 126 dogs (n = 129, 4.8% of TPLO procedures) during
the study period. Average time interval from TPLO to implant removal was 16.0 ± 17.8
months. The most common clinical signs were the presence of an open wound (n = 80),
draining tract (n = 64), and lameness (n = 59). Culture of tissue or fluid from the
implant bed or implants was positive for bacterial growth in 95/115 cases. A significantly
greater proportion of the implants removed were Slocum TPLO plates (n = 109 6.1%)
when compared to other TPLO plate types (n = 20 2.3%) (p <0.0001). No association
was identified between a positive bacterial culture and measured variables.
Clinical significance: Local bacterial infection and clinical signs of inflammation were the most common
reasons for TPLO implant removal. There may be an increased implant-associated complication
rate for Slocum TPLO plates in the study population.
Keywords
Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy - tibial plateau levelling osteotomy complication
- TPLO plate