Summary
Objectives: Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) is one of the most recent fixation
techniques that embody the concept of biological osteosynthesis. Several studies evaluating
MIPO in dogs have been published in the recent years. However, there are few clinical
reports of MIPO in cats and no description of the surgical approaches. The purpose
of our study was to describe the safe corridors for plate insertion in cats using
the MIPO technique.
Methods: The surgical approaches for the humerus, radius-ulna, femur and tibia were developed
after reviewing the described techniques and surgical approaches for MIPO in dogs,
while considering any relevant anatomical difference between dogs and cats. Following
the MIPO approaches, the limbs were anatomically dissected and the relationship between
proximal and distal positions of the implants and neurovascular structures was noted.
Results: The surgical approaches developed for the humerus and radius-ulna differed from what
had been reported previously, because relevant anatomical differences were found between
dogs and cats. Anatomical landmarks for safe plate application were described for
all the major long bones in cats. No damage to vital structures following plate insertion
was detected in the dissection.
Clinical significance: In this cadaveric study, we evaluated the safety of the surgical approaches for MIPO
in cats. By respecting the anatomical landmarks described in this report, damage to
the neurovascular structures can be avoided performing the MIPO technique in cats.
Keywords
Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis - cat - approaches - MIPO surgery
