Modified hemipelvectomy techniques in dogs and cats appear well tolerated with good functional outcomes

Maureen A. Griffin Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

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 DVM, DACVS-SA
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Johnny Altwal College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

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William T.N. Culp Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA

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Bernard Seguin Department of Clinical Sciences, Flint Animal Cancer Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

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Brandan Wustefeld-Janssens Department of Clinical Sciences, Flint Animal Cancer Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.12.0592
Volume/Issue:
Volume 261: Issue 10
Online Publication Date:
30 May 2023
Restricted access
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical characteristics, procedural techniques, complications, and outcomes of dogs and cats undergoing any of the following modified hemipelvectomy techniques: concurrent partial sacrectomy and/or partial vertebrectomy, osseous excision crossing midline, and reconstruction without the use of local musculature.

ANIMALS

23 client-owned animals (20 dogs and 3 cats) that underwent modified hemipelvectomy techniques. Animals that underwent traditional (nonmodified) hemipelvectomy techniques were excluded.

PROCEDURES

The medical records of 3 academic institutions were reviewed, and data were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Modified hemipelvectomy was performed with partial sacrectomy and/or vertebrectomy in 11 dogs, excision crossing pelvic midline with concurrent limb amputation in 5 dogs and 2 cats, and closure without use of native muscle or mesh in 4 dogs and 1 cat. Surgery was performed for tumor excision in all cases. Excision was reported as complete in 16 of 23, incomplete in 6 of 23, and not recorded in 1 of 23 animals. All animals survived to discharge. Only animals undergoing partial sacrectomy/vertebrectomy (4/11) experienced postoperative mobility concerns. Major intra- or post-operative complications (grades 3 and 4) occurred in 2 dogs that underwent partial sacrectomy/vertebrectomy, and 1 of these animals experienced a complication that resulted in death. The median time to death or last follow-up was 251 days (range, 3 to 1,642).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The modified hemipelvectomy techniques reported in this cohort were overall well tolerated with good functional outcomes. These findings support the use of these modified hemipelvectomy techniques in dogs and cats, and previous notions regarding tolerable hemipelvectomy procedures should be reconsidered. However, additional studies with larger numbers of patients undergoing modified hemipelvectomy techniques are needed to gain more information.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical characteristics, procedural techniques, complications, and outcomes of dogs and cats undergoing any of the following modified hemipelvectomy techniques: concurrent partial sacrectomy and/or partial vertebrectomy, osseous excision crossing midline, and reconstruction without the use of local musculature.

ANIMALS

23 client-owned animals (20 dogs and 3 cats) that underwent modified hemipelvectomy techniques. Animals that underwent traditional (nonmodified) hemipelvectomy techniques were excluded.

PROCEDURES

The medical records of 3 academic institutions were reviewed, and data were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Modified hemipelvectomy was performed with partial sacrectomy and/or vertebrectomy in 11 dogs, excision crossing pelvic midline with concurrent limb amputation in 5 dogs and 2 cats, and closure without use of native muscle or mesh in 4 dogs and 1 cat. Surgery was performed for tumor excision in all cases. Excision was reported as complete in 16 of 23, incomplete in 6 of 23, and not recorded in 1 of 23 animals. All animals survived to discharge. Only animals undergoing partial sacrectomy/vertebrectomy (4/11) experienced postoperative mobility concerns. Major intra- or post-operative complications (grades 3 and 4) occurred in 2 dogs that underwent partial sacrectomy/vertebrectomy, and 1 of these animals experienced a complication that resulted in death. The median time to death or last follow-up was 251 days (range, 3 to 1,642).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The modified hemipelvectomy techniques reported in this cohort were overall well tolerated with good functional outcomes. These findings support the use of these modified hemipelvectomy techniques in dogs and cats, and previous notions regarding tolerable hemipelvectomy procedures should be reconsidered. However, additional studies with larger numbers of patients undergoing modified hemipelvectomy techniques are needed to gain more information.

Supplementary Materials

    • Supplementary Figure S1 (PDF 222 KB)
    • Supplementary Table S1 (PDF 145 KB)
    • Supplementary Table S2 (PDF 53 KB)
    • Supplementary Table S3 (PDF 12 KB)
    • Supplementary Table S4 (PDF 12 KB)

Contributor Notes

Corresponding author: Dr. Griffin (magri@vet.upenn.edu)
Cover Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Publication Date:
01 Oct 2023
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