Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 May;52(4):538-544.
doi: 10.1111/vsu.13952. Epub 2023 Mar 16.

The effect of an aiming device on the accuracy of humeral transcondylar screw placement

Katherine M Neal  1 , Hayley M Gallaher  2 , Alexis Thompson  3 , Mary D Kerby  1
Affiliations

The effect of an aiming device on the accuracy of humeral transcondylar screw placement

Katherine M Neal et al. Vet Surg. 2023 May.

Abstract

Objectives: (1) To evaluate the accuracy of an aiming device on placement of humeral transcondylar screws compared to fluoroscopic methods. (2) To compare experience level on outcome.

Study design: Randomized, match pair, prospective ex-vivo study.

Sample population: A total of 68 dogs.

Methods: Canine cadaveric forelimbs were randomly assigned to either aiming device or fluoroscopic-guided groups, and to diplomate or resident. Digital radiography was used to evaluate screw trajectory deviation and eccentricity on the humeral condyle. Procedure time, outcome based on experience, and complications were recorded.

Results: The aiming device screw trajectory angle was decreased in the right limb (1.9 ± 1.1°) compared with the left (3.6 ± 1.1°, p = .0178), and compared to fluoroscopy (3.4 ± 1.1° p = .0128). There was no difference between leg laterality with fluoroscopy (p = .9979). Trajectory angle was increased with resident versus diplomate (3.4 ± 1.1° and 2.5 ± 1.1° respectively, p = .0366). Eccentricity deviation was decreased using fluoroscopy versus aiming device (3.1 ± 0.36 mm, 4.2 ± 0.36 mm, respectively, p = .0017). The risk of joint involvement was 8 times greater in aiming device groups, though not significant (p = .0575). Significant complications included increased drill attempts in fluoroscopic groups (p = .0237).

Conclusion: The aiming device provided accurate placement of transcondylar screws, in terms of both position on the condyle and trajectory angle. Results were similar to fluoroscopic-guided method.

Clinical significance: An aiming device is an acceptable means of placing humeral transcondylar screws. The use of the aiming device had an eight times increased risk of joint involvement compared to fluoroscopy.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Morgan OD, Reetz JA, Brown DC, et al. Complication rate, outcome, and risk factors associated with surgical repair of fractures of the lateral aspect of the humeral condyle in dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2008;21:400-405.
    1. Perry KL, Bruce M, Woods S, Davies C, Heaps LA, Arthurs GI. Effect of fixation method on postoperative complication rates after surgical stabilization of lateral humeral condylar fractures in dogs. Vet Surg. 2015;44:246-255.
    1. Coggeshall JD, Lewis DD, Iorgulescu A, Kim SE, Palm LS, Pozzi A. Adjunct fixation with a Kirschner wire or a plate for lateral unicondylar humeral fracture stabilization. Vet Surg. 2017;46:933-941.
    1. Langley-Hobbs SJ. Fractures of the humerus. In: Tobias KM, Johnston SA, eds. Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal. Vol 1. Elsevier Saunders; 2012:709-723.
    1. Phillips IR. A survey of bone fractures in the dog and cat. J Small Anim Pract. 1979;20(11):661-674. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.1979.tb06679.x

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources