Hands-On Lab: Cranial Closing Wedge Osteotomy Wet Lab

Cranial Closing Wedge Osteotomy (CCWO) has become a popular technique for the treatment of canine cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs that have a steep tibial plateau or joint angle, such as West Highland Terriers. It can also be a preferred method of treatment in smaller dogs where techniques like TTA may be difficult. In the morning session we cover the key objectives before practicing the technique on saw bone and then in the wet lab for a hands-on practical.

• To understand the biomechanics of the cruciate ligament deficient stifle and cranial closing wedge osteotomy
• To understand patient assessment and the selection of candidates for CCWO
• To understand pre-operative surgical planning and implant selection
• To develop familiarisation with and appropriate use of instrumentation
• To understand the post-operative management of patients
• To identify potential complications and how to avoid/deal with them
• To learn and practice the surgical technique taught in a dry lab and wet lab