Internal hemipelvectomy for treatment of obstipation secondary to pelvic malunion in 3 cats

Abstract

Pelvic fractures are a common injury in cats, and both surgical and conservative management approaches have been described. One of the major complications of pelvic fractures managed conservatively is narrowing of the pelvic canal. Severe pelvic canal narrowing can result in constipation and subsequent megacolon. The purpose of this case series is to describe the long-term outcome for 3 cats with obstipation treated with internal hemipelvectomy because of megacolon secondary to pelvic canal narrowing after conservative management. All cats had a good functional outcome of the affected limb. Two cats required ongoing medical management for recurrent constipation. Overall, internal hemipelvectomy offers good long-term limb function; however, its success in relieving clinical signs of constipation requires additional research.

Figure 1

Pelvic radiograph revealing a chronic malunion long oblique right ilial fracture with medial displacement and narrowing of the pelvic canal by approximately 50%.

Figure 2

Pelvic radiograph revealing a malunion of a right ilial fracture with medial displacement and narrowing of the pelvic canal by approximately 60%.

Figure 3

Pelvic radiograph revealing a malunion of a left ilial, ischial, pubic, and acetabular fracture with severe narrowing of the pelvic canal. A right acetabular and sacroiliac malunion is also evident.

Figure 4

Follow-up radiograph of the patient of case 3 at 6 wk after surgery.

Figure 5

The sacral index (SI) is the ratio between the width of the pelvic canal at the cranial border of the sacrum (A) and the width of the pelvic canal between the medial cortices of the acetabular bones (B).