Percutaneous plate arthrodesis in small animals.

Arthrodesis is an elective surgical procedure designed to eliminate articular pain and dysfunction by deliberate osseous fusion. A percutaneous approach can be used to perform tarsal and carpal arthrodeses in dogs and cats. Intraoperative imaging facilitates cartilage debridement performed with a burr inserted through stab incisions. The plate is introduced through an epiperiosteal tunnel and secured with screws inserted through the skin insertion incisions. Additional screws can be placed through separate stab incisions. The primary advantage of this technique is a decreased risk of soft tissue complications such as plantar necrosis or wound dehiscence. Preliminary clinical results are promising.