Dog limb-salvage surgery for large bone cancer in front leg

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To report modification of the endoprosthesis surgical limb-salvage technique to treat a locally extensive osteosarcoma in a dog and associated functional outcome. STUDY DESIGN Clinical case report. ANIMALS One client-owned dog. METHODS A 9-year-old dog was presented for treatment of a locally extensive distal radial osteosarcoma. A limb-salvage surgery was performed with a second-generation Veterinary Orthopedic Implants (VOI) endoprosthesis to reconstruct the radial segmental and carpal osseous defect. The endoprosthesis was stabilized with a 16-mm-wide locking VOI limb-salvage plate. The level of the osteotomy of the radius/ulna was 3 cm proximal to the periosteal reaction seen on radiographs, and the distal osteotomy extended through the proximal metacarpal bones (II-V), 3 cm from the distal extent of the soft tissue component of the tumor. A 3.5-mm SOP (String of Pearls) plate was used as adjunct fixation. RESULTS The postoperative functional outcome was classified as acceptable. Ambulation was normal, with mild subjective lameness on the treated limb at examinations 20, 43, and 63 days after surgery. The dog was euthanized 92 days after surgery because of progressive metastatic disease. CONCLUSION The modified endoprosthetic technique allowed complete excision of the carpal joint, which resulted in acceptable functional outcomes in the dog described here. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Distal ostectomies may include part of the manus during limb salvage surgery of locally extensive distal radial osteosarcoma and using an endoprosthesis implant to reconstruct the defect.