Summary
Objectives: To assess the effect of intra- operative radiology on the quality of lag screw insertion
for the management of sacroiliac joint luxations in cats.
Methods: In this retrospective single-centre study, the surgical, anaesthetic and imaging
records of 40 screws (32 cats) placed with lag effect for management of sacroiliac
luxation were reviewed. Postoperative radio-graphs were assessed for sacroiliac joint
reduction, screw position, and sacral width purchased by each screw. Cases were divided
into two groups according to the use of (IOR) or the absence of intra-operative radiology
(NIOR).
Results: A total of 23 lag screws were placed with the aid of intra-operative radiology and
17 without. Three of the 23 screws placed in the IOR group exited the sacrum as opposed
to eight of 17 screws in the NIOR group (p = 0.03). Mean sacral width purchased by
the screws in the IOR group (70.8%) was also significantly higher (p = 0.002) than
in the NIOR group (54.6%). Mean general anaesthetic times for unilateral and bilateral
screw placement for the IOR group and NIOR group were not significantly different.
Clinical significance: The use of intra-operative radiology can significantly improve the quality of lag
screw insertion for the stabilization of sacroiliac luxations in cats, which should
lead to a reduced incidence of postoperative screw loosening.
Keywords
Sacroiliac luxation - lag screw - intra-operative radiology - cat
