A BIOMECHANICAL COMPARISON OF COMPOSITE FIXATION AND VETERINARY ACETABULAR PLATES FOR STABILIZATION OF ACETABULAR OSTEOTOMIES IN DOGS LOADED IN 3-POINT-BENDING FASHION

An in vitro study comparing the biomechanical performance and accuracy of reduction for two methods of acetabular osteotomy repair in the do g is presented. Pelves were harvested from five adult mixed breed dogs weighing 25-30kg. One hemipelvis from each dog was repaired with the composite fixation and the contralateral hemipelvis was repaired with a 2.0 mm six hole veterinary acetabular plate. Each hemipelvis was loa ded in a three-point-bending fashion at a rate of 5 mm/min. An extenso meter was placed over the dorso-medial surface of the acetabular osteo tomy during loading. Reduction was significantly better for hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation when compared to hemipelves st abilized with the 2.0 mm six hole veterinary acetabular plate. There w as not a significant difference in bending stiffness, distractional st iffness, yield point and maximum load between repair groups.