RESULTS OF SCREW WIRE/POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE COMPOSITE FIXATION FOR ACETABULAR FRACTURE REPAIR IN 14 DOGS/

Objective- To assess the clinical results in dogs with acetabular frac tures stabilized using a screw-wire-polymethylmethacrylate (SWP) compo site fixation. Study Design- A retrospective study of client-owned dog s with acetabular fractures. Animals- Fourteen dogs ranging in age fro m 4 to 95 months (mean, 34 +/- 25 months; median, 25 months) and body weight from 8 to 39 kg (mean, 25 +/- 6 kg; median, 27 kg). Methods- Me dical records and radiographs were retrospectively evaluated to determ ine location of the fracture, presence of preexisting degenerative joi nt disease, accuracy of fracture reduction and complications associate d with surgery. Long-term results were evaluated by subjective assessm ent of lameness, elicitation of pain and/or crepitus on manipulation o f the coxofemoral joint, measurements of pelvic limb circumference, co xofemoral joint goniometric measurements, and radiographic evaluation. Results- Fracture reduction was considered anatomic in 13 dogs. At th e time of the last followup evaluation (mean, 347 +/- 261 days; median , 380 days) 10 dogs were sound on the affected Limb, three dogs had a subtle weight-bearing lameness of the affected limb, and the remaining dog had a consistent non-weight-bearing lameness of the affected limb . Mild (n = 10) or moderate (n = 1) degenerative changes of the affect ed coxofemoral joint attributed to the acetabular fracture and its rep air were noted on the follow-up radiographs in 11 dogs. Limb circumfer ence of the affected limb ranged from -8.2% to +10.8% (mean, -0.8 +/- 4.2%; median, -0.7%) of the contralateral limb. Conclusions- The SWP c omposite fixation consistently maintained anatomic reduction, was asso ciated with few complications, and yielded satisfactory clinical resul ts. Clinical Relevance- The SWP composite fixation technique would see m to be an acceptable means of stabilizing acetabular fractures in dog s. (C) Copyright 1997 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.