A Retrospective Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Plate Osteosynthesis in Cats with Ilial Body Fractures

Pelvic fractures are one of the most common orthopedic problems that cause serious injuries in cats, making up 20 to 32% of all feline fractures. Fractures of the ilium constitute 18 to 46% of pelvic fractures. In this study, the post-operative clinical and radiological results of dorsal, ventral and lateral aspects of the body of the ilium in cats with ilial fractures were evaluated. Twenty-three cats of different breeds, ages and sexes with ilial fractures and occasionally fractures of acetabular, ischial fractures and sacro-iliac joint luxation, were used as subject. History, clinical and neurological examinations of patients were undertaken, and three groups were formed for this study. Group 1 consisted of seven cases with the plate placed in the dorsal aspect of the ilium, group 2 consisted of seven cases with the plate placed on the lateral aspect of the ilium and in group 3, six cases had plates placed on the ventral aspect of the ilium. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia and either a Locking-Decompression Plate (LC-DCP) or a reconstruction plate was used for fixation. 85.7% with a full recovery rate of the cases. There was neither narrowing in the pelvic canal nor screw loosening in cases where the plate was applied dorsally and ventrally. In one case (14.3%), there was narrowing in the pelvic canal after lateral application. No difference was observed between the clinical and radiological results of placing LC-DCP or reconstruction plates on the dorsal, lateral, and ventral aspect of the bone in the post-operative period, and screw loosening did not occur. Case selection is important in the choice, when considering lateral, dorsal, or ventral plate application in ilial fractures. If the original injury was more than five to six days before surgery, double plate application provided a better clinical prognosis. Dorsal plate application provided better surgical access when compared to ventral application. Lateral application should be used if the fracture line is close to the acetabulum.