Intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis (ITAP) for limb salvage in 4 dogs

OBJECTIVE: To report clinical application of intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis (ITAP) for limb salvage.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

SAMPLE POPULATION: Client owned dogs with malignant neoplasia of the distal aspect of the limb.

METHOD: Distal limb amputation allowed press-fit insertion of the ITAP into the radius (n = 3) or tibia (1). Remaining soft tissues including skin were attached directly to the ITAP. Limb stump and ITAP were protected by bandaging (1) or external skeletal fixation (3) for 5-6 weeks before exoprosthesis attachment. Measures of outcome included subjective assessments of limb function by owners and veterinarians, radiographic (4) and histologic (1) examination.

RESULTS: Dermal integration with the ITAP was achieved by 3 weeks and dogs were walking in a pain-free manner by 8 weeks. One dog was administered adjunctive carboplatin chemotherapy. No evidence of local tumor recurrence occurred. In 1 dog, ITAP fracture occurred at 10 weeks and was successfully managed by ITAP replacement. Three dogs were euthanatized because of confirmed or assumed metastatic disease at 8, 12, and 17 months. Histologic examination of the ITAP-limb interface at 1 year documented osseous and dermal integration.

CONCLUSION: Implantation of ITAP to the distal limb of dogs is feasible and can result in favorable functional outcomes. Biological integration of osseous and dermal tissues with ITAP is reliable and robust.