Feline ilial fractures: assessment of screw loosening and pelvic canal narrowing after lateral plating.

OBJECTIVE

To report the incidence of (1) screw loosening and (2) severity of pelvic canal narrowing in cats after repair of ilial fractures by a lateral bone plate.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series.

ANIMALS

Cats (n=21) with ilial fractures.

METHODS

Medical records (June 1994 to February 2004) and radiographs were reviewed. Retrieved data were: signalment, fracture description, screw purchase, screw loosening, complications, and clinical outcome. Sacral index (SI) was used to objectively assess degree of pelvic canal narrowing. Long-term follow-up was by owner telephone interview or postal questionnaire.

RESULTS

Screw loosening occurred in 13 cats (62%), with a mean loss of total screw purchase of 13% (range, 0-46%). Pelvic canal narrowing (mean decrease, 25%; range, 5-60%) occurred in all cats. Six cats (28%) had severe pelvic canal narrowing (mean, 52%); 5 of these had signs of recurrent constipation within 12 months postoperatively. Mean loss of total screw purchase in cats with severe pelvic narrowing was 28% compared with 9% for all other cats with narrowing.

CONCLUSIONS

Lateral plating of ilial fractures in cats is associated with a high incidence of screw loosening.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Pelvic canal narrowing >45% is associated with a high risk of recurrent constipation.