Can Vet J. 2014 Mar;55(3):249-54.

Complications associated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy: a retrospective of 1519 procedures.

Coletti TJ¹, Anderson M¹, Gorse MJ¹, Madsen R¹.

Author information

1: Veterinary Specialty Services, 1021 Howard George Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63021, USA (Coletti, Anderson, Gorse); Department of Statistics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA (Madsen).

Abstract

This retrospective study identified complications associated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and predisposing factors for these complications in a large population of dogs from a metropolitan area with cruciate ligament deficiency. There were 943 dogs that underwent unilateral TPLO and 288 with staged bilateral TPLO for a total of 1519 procedures. There were 47 cases with at least 1 major complication and 126 cases with at least 1 minor complication but no major complications. The total complication rate (major or minor) was 11.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) estimate: 9.8%, 13.2%]; the major complication rate was 3.1% (95% CI: 2.3%, 4.1%); and the minor complication rate was 8.3% (95% CI: 7.0%, 9.8%). Factors associated with development of complications included being a German shepherd dog [odds ratio (OR): 3.2], tibial plateau angle > 30° (OR: 1.6), and heavier weights (for every 4.5 kg increase in body weight the OR increased by 1.10). Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy is a common treatment for dogs with cruciate ligament deficiency and has a low complication rate.