Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis Using Fracture Reduction Under the Plate without Intraoperative Fluoroscopy to Stabilize Diaphyseal Fractures of the Tibia and Femur in Dogs and Cats

Objective The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate postoperative alignment when using fracture reduction under the plate (FRUP) during a minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis in tibial and femoral fractures, without intraoperative imaging, and report immediate postoperative complications. Materials and Methods After precise plate contouring and preoperative planning, FRUP was obtained with one cortical screw per fragment. Fractures were stabilized with a plate or plate rod. Tibial/femoral lengths, tibial plateau angles, mechanical medial proximal and distal tibial angles, anatomical lateral distal femoral angles, femoral curvatum and neck anteversion were evaluated on postoperative radiographs and contralateral bone. Tibial torsion was evaluated visually. Paired t -test were used to compare data. Immediate postoperative complications were recorded. Results Twenty-one tibial and 20 femoral fractures were stabilized (14 plate rod cases). Mean postoperative operated tibial length was 1.4% shorter ( p = 0.001). Mean postoperative operated femoral length was 2% shorter ( p = 0.04). Mean operated tibial plateau angle was 1.1 degrees lower ( p = 0.02). No difference in tibial torsion was noticed. No significant difference in mechanical medial proximal tibial angle, mechanical medial distal tibial angle, anatomical lateral distal femoral angle and femoral neck anteversion was observed. Mean operated femoral curvatum angle was 5.6 degrees less ( p = 0.01). Five cases (3 plate rod cases) required an immediate revision.