Comparison of complication rates and clinical outcome between tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and a modified cranial closing wedge osteotomy for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report complication rates and clinical outcomes after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and a modified cranial closing wedge osteotomy (mCCWO) for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs. STUDY
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Dogs weighing 20-60 kg with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease treated by either TPLO (n = 97) or mCCWO (n = 74).
METHODS: Clinical and radiographic assessments including lameness score, morphometric measurements and tibial plateau angle (TPA) were made before surgery and 8 weeks after either TPLO or mCCWO. Long-term outcome assessment by owner questionnaire or interview was undertaken at ≥6 months postoperatively.
RESULTS: Significant differences in lameness scores between groups were not identified at short- or long-term follow-up. Major complication and reoperation rates did not differ significantly between groups (TPLO 7.2% and 6.1%; mCCWO 9.5% and 5.4%). Median postoperative TPA did not differ significantly between groups (TPLO group 5.5°; mCCWO group 6.5°). At >6 months owner assessed lameness, disability, quality of life and satisfaction were not different between groups and were good in 90-97% of dogs.
CONCLUSIONS: In dogs weighing 20-60 kg, TPLO and mCCWO are associated with similar complication rates and clinical outcomes when performed by surgeons experienced with the surgical techniques. © Copyright 2013 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.