Objective: To design a precontoured plating system for humeral condylar fracture repair in spaniels with humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF) and quantify accuracy of fit of the system on 3D printed bone models.
Study design: Experimental on 3D printed models.
Methods: The plating system was based on morphometric data obtained from CT. Plates were applied to models and impression material was measured under the plates at points of interest to define plate bone gap (PBG). Data on locking screw interference on plate application were also obtained.
Results: Eleven elbows models were plated. Statistical analysis to assess for any difference in PBG measurements between left and right humuri revealed two loci (3 and 17) under the lateral plate and two loci (3 and 17) under the medial plate. On cumulate portion analysis, 67% of lateral plate loci and 80% of medial plate loci had a PBG of ≤2 mm respectively. An incidence of 2.1% (3/143) screw interference occurred.
Conclusion: Design of a contoured plating system for application to humeral models from spaniels with HIF and its application with objective measurement of PBG is described. The majority of the loci measured under both lateral and medial plates had a BPG of ≤2 mm and the incidence of locking screw interference on plate application was low.
Clinical significance: This novel system may have application for the stabilization of humeral condylar fractures in spaniels avoiding the need for plate contouring and minimizing the incidence of locking screw interference.
