Abstract
Canine osteosarcoma is the most commonly diagnosed primary bone tumour in the dog, affecting mainly large and giant breed dogs with the predilection site being the metaphysis of long bones, specifically the distal radius, proximal humerus, distal femur and proximal tibia and fibula. Treatment options are either palliative or curative intent therapy, the latter limb amputation or limb-sparing surgery together with chemotherapy. This article describes the use of an ipsilateral vascularised ulnar transposition autograft as well as chemotherapy in 2 dogs with osteosarcoma of the distal radius. Both dogs showed minimal complications with the technique and both survived over 381 days following the surgery. Complications seen were loosening of the screws and osteomyelitis. The procedure was well tolerated with excellent limb use. This technique is indicated for use in cases with small tumour size that have not broken through the bone cortex.
Highlights
Canine osteosarcoma is the most commonly diagnosed primary bone tumour in the dog (85 %), affecting mainly large and giant breed dogs[2,5]
The predilection site for osteosarcoma is the metaphysis of long bones, the distal radius, proximal humerus, distal femur and proximal tibia and fibula[1]
Reported risk factors are size, height, and neutered dogs, the latter having a 2-fold greater risk of developing osteosarcoma of the appendicular skeleton compared to intact dogs[5]
Summary
Canine osteosarcoma is the most commonly diagnosed primary bone tumour in the dog (85 %), affecting mainly large and giant breed dogs[2,5]. The placement of the ipsilateral vascularised ulnar autograft has several potential advantages: (1) the vascularised graft achieves clinical union more rapidly owing to its intact blood supply and undergoes less bone resorbtion; (2) the graft undergoes hypertrophy and is more resistant to infection; (3) as the graft is obtained from the same limb it reduces morbidity and surgical time; and (4) there is no need for micro-vascular anastamosis. These factors all potentially reduce the risk of infection, fatigue fractures, and implant failure[10]. This paper describes the use of an ipsilateral vascularised ulnar transposition autograft together with chemotherapy in 2 dogs with osteosarcoma of the distal radius
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