Complication rate and factors affecting outcome of olecranon osteotomies repaired with pin and tension-band fixation in dogs.

The objective of this study was to determine the complication rate and evaluate factors affecting the outcome of olecranon osteotomy in dogs. Medical records were searched to identify dogs that had undergone olecranon osteotomy (stabilized with 2 Kirschner wires and a figure-of-8 wire) during internal fixation of a supracondylar or condylar humeral fracture. Signalment, description of the fracture, parameters regarding the osteotomy and its repair, and radiographic outcome were recorded. A logistic regression model compared patient and technical parameters with the osteotomy outcome. Of the 19 dogs, 7 (37%) had complications of the osteotomy, including osteomyelitis, loss of reduction, and improper placement and migration of the Kirschner wires. Olecranon osteotomy is associated with a high complication rate in dogs; however, there was no correlation between patient-related or technical parameters and the development of complications. Further clinical and biomechanical investigations are warranted to improve the results of olecranon osteotomy and its repair.