FEMORAL-HEAD EXCISION ARTHROPLASTY USING THE VASCULARIZED RECTUS FEMORIS MUSCLE SLING

Rectus femoris muscle slings were transposed over femoral head ostecto my sites in four large breed dogs, while in three other dogs, standard femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty was performed. After the operation two dogs, with rectus femoris muscle slings, showed transien t swelling of the operated limb and remained weight bearing minimally throughout the 28-day study period. In the two remaining dogs with mus cle transposition, the surgical sites were normal, but decreased weigh t bearing and marked lameness were apparent. The dogs with standard fe moral head excisions did not have any postoperative problems with the surgical sites and were weight bearing, with slight to moderate gait a bnormalities, after the operation. All of the dogs showed decreases in coxofemoral range of motion, standing hip angle and limb length of th e operated leg but postoperative differences between the two treatment groups were not significant. Thigh muscle circumference was significa ntly less in dogs with rectus femoris muscle slings than those with st andard femoral head excision. Extensive perfusion of transposed slings was apparent on angiographic studies. Histopathology of muscle slings showed focal inflammation, muscle fibre atrophy and fibrosis with int act neurovascular supply.