Minimally invasive computer-assisted repair of feline sacroiliac luxation -a cadaveric study

Nicole Diana Wolf ^1* Lukas Kleiner ² Christina Precht ³ Mathieu De Preux ⁴ Julien Guevar ⁵ Franck Forterre ¹ Pia Duever ¹

• ¹ Division of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
• ² Divison of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Tierklinik Marigin, Feusisberg, Switzerland
• ³ Division of Clinical Radiology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Bern, Switzerland
• ⁴ Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
• ⁵ Divison of Small Animal Neurology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Anicura Tierklinik Thun, Thun, Switzerland

This cadaveric study aims to address the challenges of surgical stabilization in cats with sacroiliac luxation, commonly occurring post-trauma. The delicate anatomy of the sacrum presents a significant hurdle, necessitating precise surgical techniques to avoid damage to vital structures.The study evaluates the feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive approach using computer navigation compared to traditional fluoroscopy.Ten skeletally mature cats underwent simulated luxation surgeries, with one side navigated using a computer navigation system and the other controlled by fluoroscopy. Final fixation was achieved with a positional screw. Evaluation criteria included the accuracy of screw placement, time taken for surgery, and radiological safety assessments.Results demonstrated a significant improvement in safety and precision over the course of surgeries in the computer guided group. Despite initial challenges, such as ventral deviation during drilling, a steep learning curve was observed, indicating the feasibility of the technique with practice.The evaluation of postoperative images revealed that the navigated technique exhibited comparable safety to traditional fluoroscopy-guided surgery. This finding supports the study's hypothesis, indicating that computer navigation offers a safe alternative for sacroiliac joint fixation in cats. Limitations included the artificial nature of the cadaver models and variations in surgical approaches between the two groups.The study highlights the potential of computer navigation to enhance surgical accuracy and safety in complex anatomical regions like the sacrum. Its clinical relevance lies in its ability to spare soft tissue and improve screw positioning, offering a promising alternative to traditional fluoroscopy-guided procedures.