34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to compare the interfragmentary compression patterns produced by three different tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) plate designs.

Methods:

TPLO was performed in 15 canine tibia models (SYNBONE AG, Zizers, Switzerland) using 3D-printed guides for standardisation. Interfragmentary compression was assessed using pressure-sensitive films (Prescale, Fujifilm, Atherstone, UK). Three 3.5 mm TPLO plate designs were tested: (1) Synthes (S) (Synthes-Stratec, Solothurn, Switzerland), (2) Arthrex (A) (Arthrex, Naples, Florida, USA), and (3) Biocurve (B) (Movora, KYON AG, Hardturmstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland). Five measurements were obtained per method. The interfragmentary surface was divided into quadrants: Q1 (craniomedial), Q2 (craniolateral), Q3 (caudomedial), and Q4 (caudolateral). One-way ANOVA and post hoc tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results:

Significant differences in overall interfragmentary compression were observed among the TPLO plates (p < 0.001). The Biocurve plate generated the highest and most uniform compression (Q1: 0.285 ± 0.023 MPa; Q2: 0.304 ± 0.010 MPa; Q3: 0.220 ± 0.014 MPa; Q4: 0.237 ± 0.010 MPa). The Arthrex plate achieved high compression in Q2 (0.292 ± 0.012 MPa) and moderate compression in the remaining quadrants (Q1: 0.177 ± 0.016 MPa; Q3: 0.141 ± 0.011 MPa; Q4: 0.189 ± 0.013 MPa). The Synthes plate consistently produced the lowest compression across all quadrants (Q1: 0.050 ± 0.008 MPa; Q2: 0.075 ± 0.009 MPa; Q3: 0.111 ± 0.008 MPa; Q4: 0.109 ± 0.008 MPa).

Conclusions:

The Biocurve TPLO plate generated the highest, most uniform interfragmentary compression, generating more compression particularly in the cranial quadrants. Further studies are needed to assess if this translates into improved healing outcomes.