Evaluation of the clinical value of routine radiographic examination during convalescence for tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how frequently routine follow-up radiographic findings would result in a change to the postoperative plan following tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study SAMPLE POPULATION: Short-term group: 100 cases; intermediate-term group: 50 cases.

METHODS

Medical records of 100 consecutive cases meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed (the short-term group). The cases had no owner-perceived issues and underwent routinely prescribed radiographic follow up between 40 and 60 postoperative days after TPLO performed by one experienced surgeon. Complications identified on physical examination (PE) and radiographic examination (RE) were recorded, along with any changes to the postoperative plan. Medical records of 50 consecutive cases that had short-term and intermediate-term (≥180 days) REs and PEs were reviewed similarly (intermediate-term group).

RESULTS

Fifty-one cases in the short-term group had no complications on PE or RE. Forty-nine dogs were diagnosed with minor complications (patellar ligament desmitis, patella or fibula fracture, gait abnormalities): 42 on RE only; 6 on PE and RE; 1 on PE only. Exercise restriction was extended for 2 weeks in 2 cases with radiographic patellar ligament desmitis. Two cases in the intermediate-term group had minor complications at intermediate-term RE. No new PE or RE complications developed between short-term and intermediate-term evaluations.

CONCLUSION

At routine rechecks of dogs with no owner-perceived issues after TPLO, 49% had minor complications but only 2% were deemed significant enough to alter patient management. The likelihood of new radiographic complications developing after short-term evaluation is low.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Routine radiographic recheck examinations rarely altered the postoperative plan in TPLO cases with unremarkable clinical recoveries.