Outcome of surgical stabilisation of acetabular fractures in 16 cats

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study is to describe the presentation, surgical management and perioperative outcome of cats with acetabular fractures. Methods Case records and radiographs of cats with acetabular fractures were reviewed from presentation to the end of follow-up. Surgical technique, complications, radiographic reduction and the presence of neurological deficits were recorded. Results Sixteen cats with 17 acetabular fractures met the inclusion criteria. All fractures were associated with concurrent orthopaedic injuries. All cats were either moderately or severely lame on presentation. Five fractures were stabilised using screws, wire, pins and polymethylmethacrylate, nine were repaired using a straight dynamic compression plate and three were repaired using a locking plate. Two of seven cats that were neurologically normal prior to surgery developed transient neuropraxia following surgery. There were three major complications and no minor complications. At the end of follow-up 3/16 cats had full function, whereas 13/16 had acceptable function. Conclusions and relevance All cats undergoing surgical stabilisation of acetabular fractures returned to full or acceptable function by the end of the follow-up period and there was a low number of intraoperative and short-term complications. Neurological deficits were common preoperatively, but the majority of these deficits had resolved by follow-up.