Arthroscopic-assisted hip toggle stabilization in cats: An ex vivo feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Techniques

Background:

• Coxofemoral luxation is a common hip joint injury in cats.
• Traditional surgical methods for hip luxation can be invasive.
• Arthroscopic-assisted techniques offer potential for less invasive surgical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the arthroscopic-assisted hip toggle stabilization (AA-HTS) technique in feline cadavers.
• To evaluate the feasibility and iatrogenic injury rate of AA-HTS.
• To assess deviations from the planned surgical technique during AA-HTS.

Main Methods:

• An ex vivo study using 7 skeletally mature cat cadavers (14 hips).
• Preoperative CT for surgical planning and bone tunnel identification.
• Ultrasound-guided transection of the ligament of the head of the femur.
• Arthroscopic-assisted hip toggle stabilization using a commercial aiming device.
• Postoperative CT and gross dissection for injury and deviation assessment.

Main Results:

• AA-HTS was successfully performed in all 14 feline cadaver joints.
• Median surgical time was 46.5 minutes.
• Intraoperative complications occurred in 5 hips (bone tunnel creation, toggle dislodgement).
• Minor articular cartilage damage (<10%) was noted in 10 joints.
• Thirteen surgical technique deviations (8 major, 5 minor) were identified in 7 joints.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic-assisted hip toggle stabilization is feasible in feline cadavers.
• The technique was associated with a high rate of minor cartilage injury, intraoperative complications, and technique deviations.
• AA-HTS may be an effective option for managing coxofemoral luxation in cats, warranting further clinical investigation.