Abstract
The objective of this study was to document the rate and identify potential risk factors of intra-articular jig pin placement in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) with use of a tibial plateau leveling jig. Medical records and pre- and post-operative radiographs (2007-2017) of 696 dogs with TPLO performed with a jig were reviewed. Primary surgeon and tibial plateau angles (TPA) were recorded. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated and classified according to intra-articular jig pin placement. Medial tibial plateau jig pin placement was defined as a radiolucent tract on the osteochondral junction of the medial tibial plateau. Lateral tibial plateau placement was defined as a radiolucent tract within 3 mm of the medial tibial plateau with a pin trajectory penetrating the lateral tibial plateau. Rates of intra-articular jig pin placement were calculated, and associations between intra-articular jig pin placement and surgeon experience and TPA were assessed with a Chi-Squared Test. Thirty-seven (5.32%) dogs had intra-articular placement of the jig pin. Seven dogs had medial tibial plateau jig placement, and 30 had lateral tibial plateau placement. There was no relationship between the TPA or surgeon level of experience and intra-articular placement of pin. This study serves as a reminder to be cautious when placing the proximal jig pin during TPLO to avoid intra-articular placement. In addition, guidelines for evaluating proximal jig pin placement on postoperative radiographs are provided.