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Low et al: Long-Term Outcome and Complications after Transcondylar Screw Placement for Canine Humeral Intracondylar Fissure
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology 4, 2024

🔍 Key Findings Summary

  • 47 dogs (57 elbows) underwent TCS placement for HIF
  • Overall complication rate = 17.5%
    • Minor: seromas (7 elbows)
    • Major: septic arthritis (3 elbows) — all resolved with antibiotics
  • No screw failures, medial epicondylar fractures, or catastrophic outcomes noted
  • Long-term follow-up in 41 dogs (50 elbows):
    • 90% full function, 10% acceptable function
    • Mean follow-up = ~2.5 years
  • Increased age was significantly protective (p = 0.0051; OR = 0.61)
  • TCS placement method (freehand, guide, aiming device) significantly impacted screw angulation but not complication rate
  • Outcome not affected by presence of complications

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← Articles

Low et al: Long-Term Outcome and Complications after Transcondylar Screw Placement for Canine Humeral Intracondylar Fissure
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology 4, 2024

🔍 Key Findings Summary

  • 47 dogs (57 elbows) underwent TCS placement for HIF
  • Overall complication rate = 17.5%
    • Minor: seromas (7 elbows)
    • Major: septic arthritis (3 elbows) — all resolved with antibiotics
  • No screw failures, medial epicondylar fractures, or catastrophic outcomes noted
  • Long-term follow-up in 41 dogs (50 elbows):
    • 90% full function, 10% acceptable function
    • Mean follow-up = ~2.5 years
  • Increased age was significantly protective (p = 0.0051; OR = 0.61)
  • TCS placement method (freehand, guide, aiming device) significantly impacted screw angulation but not complication rate
  • Outcome not affected by presence of complications

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Low 2024 et al., how did complication presence affect long-term functional outcome?

A. Significantly worse outcomes
B. Moderate reduction in COI score
C. Unrelated to outcome
D. Strong correlation with LOAD score
E. Associated with euthanasia

Answer: Unrelated to outcome

Explanation: No significant associations were found between complications and outcome measures:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
In Low 2024 et al., on TCS for HIF, what was the overall complication rate across all elbows?

A. 6.5%
B. 17.5%
C. 26.0%
D. 35.7%
E. 42.0%

Answer: 17.5%

Explanation: Total complication rate was 10 out of 57 elbows (17.5%) including minor and major complications:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
In Low 2024 et al., what was the most common minor postoperative complication observed?

A. Wound dehiscence
B. Screw migration
C. Seroma formation
D. Screw loosening
E. Skin necrosis

Answer: Seroma formation

Explanation: Seromas were the most frequent minor complication (7 elbows):contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
In Low 2024 et al., what was the effect of TCS placement method on screw angulation?

A. No significant difference
B. Freehand had most consistent angle
C. 3D guide produced smallest angle
D. Universal aiming device resulted in the steepest angle
E. Fluoroscopy yielded smallest variance

Answer: 3D guide produced smallest angle

Explanation: Screw angulation was significantly lower with 3D-printed guides compared to other methods:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
In Low 2024 et al., which factor was significantly associated with reduced postoperative complications?

A. Increased bodyweight
B. Use of 3D drill guides
C. Increased screw diameter
D. Older age at surgery
E. Use of medial approach

Answer: Older age at surgery

Explanation: Age was inversely associated with complication risk (p = 0.0051, OR = 0.61):contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

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