Abstract
<p><strong>Objective:</strong> This manuscript used evidence based statistical methods that estimate clinical treatment effect rather than whether groups were statistically different.</p><p><strong>Background:</strong> The previously published blinded, randomised, controlled clinical trial comparing lateral fabellar suture (LFS) and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) was reported with a traditional analysis comparing groups. Although this was a well-designed study, evidence based statistical methods that estimate treatment effect would be helpful to the practitioner.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> The effect size and number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated for the outcome measures with significant differences between groups using the data from a previously published randomised controlled clinical trial comparing TPLO and LFS in dogs with cruciate rupture. </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The effect size of the peak vertical force (PVF) at a trot, 1 year after TPLO over LFS, was moderate to high (0.71) with a NNT of 6. The NNT for satisfaction was 7.</p><p><strong>Conclusion/Application:</strong> Based on this study, the effect size and NNTs are such that the clinical difference warrants recommending the TPLO over the LFS in large and giant breed dogs.</p><p> </p><img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/oa-icon.jpg" alt="Open Access" /> <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/pr-icon.jpg" alt="Peer Reviewed" />
Highlights
The tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) has been advocated as a better treatment for cruciate rupture in the dog based largely on a randomised controlled clinical trial published in 2013 (Gordon-Evans et al, 2013; Bergh et al, 2014)
Conclusion/Application: Based on this study, the effect size and number needed to treat (NNT) are such that the clinical difference warrants recommending the TPLO over the lateral fabellar suture (LFS) in large and giant breed dogs
This paper describes a statistical difference in limb function between owner satisfaction and limb function; the clinical difference between the groups using the effect size, NNT and number needed to harm (NNH) were not calculated (Gordon-Evans et al, 2013)
Summary
The previously published blinded, randomised, controlled clinical trial comparing lateral fabellar suture (LFS) and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) was reported with a traditional analysis comparing groups. This was a well-designed study, evidence based statistical methods that estimate treatment effect would be helpful to the practitioner
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
