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Objective: To identify whether a theoretical predictable safe corridor is available in cats for placement of trans-iliac pins without the use of fluoroscopy., Methods: Twenty-one cats with straight orthogonal normal pelvic radiographs were included. Two start points were evaluated: a midpoint and a dorsal point. The midpoint was defined as midway between the dorsal lamina of the sacral vertebral canal and the cranial dorsal iliac spine. The dorsal start point was 2 mm ventral to the cranial dorsal iliac spine. The pin was assumed to be driven at 90 degrees to the lateral face of the ilium, and considered surgeon accuracy was ±4 degrees from the perpendicular. The angular range and the distance between the iliac wings from the ventrodorsal radiograph were used to calculate the possible cross-sectional area and pin exit location if driven from one iliac wing to the other. The corridor was then evaluated for repeatability in six randomly selected cats., Results: Vertebral foramina penetration risk was identified in some cats when using a 1.6 and 2 mm-diameter pin using the mid-iliac wing start point. The dorsal start point decreased the available pin placement area but reduced the risk of entering the hazardous zone for all pin sizes up to 2 mm., Conclusion and Relevance: A theoretical defined safe corridor is available for trans-iliac pin placement in cats between 2.0 and 5.5 kg. A 1.2-mm pin is the safest if using the mid-iliac wing start point. A more dorsal start point can accommodate up to a 2.0-mm pin if correctly aligned to the sacrum., (© 2021 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Veterinary Association.)

Objective: To (1) report a technique for repair of feline ilial fractures using a dorsally applied bone plate and (2) compare outcome with cats treated by a lateral plate., Study Design: Prospective study., Animals: Cats (n=10) with iliac fractures., Methods: Cats with ilial fractures (January 2005-December 2006) were treated by application of a dorsally applied bone plate. Immediate postoperative radiographs were compared with those taken 4-6 weeks later to assess screw loosening, screw purchase, and pelvic canal narrowing. Owners were contacted for medium-term (>3 month) follow-up. Data were compared with a report of outcome after lateral plating (LP) in 21 cats., Results: Mean (+/- SD) screw purchase (89 +/- 11 mm) was significantly greater (P<.01) with a dorsal plate compared with a lateral plate (33 +/- 8 mm). Significantly more screws (P<.01) were used with a dorsal plate (median, 7) compared with a lateral plate (median, 6). Significantly less postoperative pelvic canal narrowing developed in the dorsal plating group between postoperative and 4-6-week follow-up radiography compared with the LP group (2% versus 15%, P<.01)., Conclusion: Dorsal plating of feline ilial fractures results in significantly less screw loosening and pelvic canal narrowing at 4-6 weeks after surgery compared with LP., Clinical Relevance: Dorsal plating of feline iliac fractures may reduce complications associated with pelvic canal narrowing such as constipation and megacolon.