Retrospective Evaluation of Tension Band Stabilisation for Iliac Body and/or Acetabular Fractures in Dogs and Cats

Trauma-induced ilium and acetabular fractures are common in small animal practice. This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of tension band stabilisation used in the treatment of iliac body and/or acetabular fractures in cats and dogs. The study included 12 patients (5 cats, 7 dogs) weighing less than 15 kg who were treated between 2019 and 2024. A total of 14 fractures (11 ilium, 3 acetabulum) were managed. The fractures were stabilised using orthopaedic wire wrapped in a figure-of-eight pattern around screws placed in the bone fragments. In cases of acetabular fractures, prophylactic femoral head and neck excision (FHO) was performed in addition to stabilisation to eliminate the risk of postoperative degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis). The mean surgical duration was 27±5 min for ilium fractures and 57±2 min for acetabular fractures. Seventy-five per cent of patients (9/12) began using the affected limb on the first postoperative day. Clinical outcomes were assessed as excellent in 67% of patients and good in 33%. Minor complications, such as suture dehiscence and edema, were recorded in only two cases. Screw tension band stabilisation performed without the use of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) can be considered a practical, cost-effective alternative that yields satisfactory clinical results in the treatment of iliac and acetabular fractures in cats and dogs weighing less than 15 kg. In particular, combining the technique with FHO in acetabular fractures has resulted in a satisfactory functional outcome.