Comparison Between a Novel Bovine Xenoimplant and Autogenous Cancellous Bone Graft in Tibial Tuberosity Advancement

Objective To compare radiographic healing and clinical outcome of a frontal-opening wedge osteotomy of canine tibiae when the osteotomy site is packed with either a novel bovine xenograft or standard autogenous cancellous bone graft (ACBG). Study Design Cohort study. Animals Dogs (n = 82) with partial or complete rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament that had tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). Methods In 48 dogs, the osteotomy was packed with a novel bovine xenograft and in 34 dogs, ACBG was used. Eight week postoperative radiographs from both groups were graded for osteotomy healing using a 0–4-point scale. Data were analyzed using a Mann–Whitney test with significance set at P < .05. Results Thirty-four dogs (39 stifles) with xenoimplants had complete records and radiographic follow-up at 8 weeks. No significant differences between xenografting and autografting were identified in grading of osteotomy fill, osteointegration, or healing of the distal osteotomy. Significant differences were noted in grading of osteotomy healing proximally (autograft > xenoimplant) and of opacity in the osteotomy site (xenoimplant > autograft). Conclusions Radiographic evidence of healing of the xenoimplanted portion of the TTA osteotomy was equivalent to results with ACBG. Healing of the proximal osteotomy site (above the cage) was improved when ACBG was used as the graft.