Page 3316 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Consent to Perform Femoral Head and Neck Osteotomy

VetBooks.ir Patient name:_________________________________
Pet owner’s name:_____________________________ Med rec #____________
Best contact during/after procedure (e.g., cell phone number):____________________

INTRODUCTION This operation is considered elective, meaning that it is a pro-
We want to make sure that you understand the planned surgical cedure that is not immediately necessary to keep your pet alive.
procedure to be performed on your pet. You should know why the This surgery has many benefits for your pet, such as pain relief.
surgery has been suggested, what the potential benefits are for The decision to perform this surgery is based on having assessed
your pet, and the most common/important risks of the operation. that the anticipated benefit is greater than the anesthetic risk.
Alternatives to this procedure, when applicable, will be discussed
with you. It is also important that you recognize that medicine is FORESEEABLE RISKS TO THE PROCEDURE
not an exact science, and that the outcome cannot be guaranteed. Risks typically associated with this procedure can include infec-
We encourage you to ask us as many questions as required for tion of the incision or underlying surgical site, continued lameness
you to make a well-informed decision. and pain, limb shortening, muscle atrophy, decreased range of
motion, and patellar luxation. Most infections can be managed
BENEFITS/OPTIMAL OUTCOME OF THE PROCEDURE with antibiotics, but occasionally additional surgical procedures
This procedure is used to treat a variety of conditions such as hip are needed to address the infection. Most complications can be
dysplasia, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, coxofemoral luxation, failed managed with a combination of pain medications, physical therapy,
total hip replacements, and fractures of the femoral neck or capital and dietary and lifestyle management. Although there is risk that
physis. We have more specifically described which of the above your pet will still have lameness (be limping) after having this pro-
conditions affects your pet and why this procedure is a recommended cedure, the lameness will likely be less than it would have been
treatment. Removal of the femoral head and neck (“hip joint bone”) otherwise.
eliminates the bone-on-bone contact that causes pain in the hip
joint. The goals of this procedure are to significantly lessen pain Other anticipated risks specific to your pet:___________________
and to improve lameness (reduce limping) in the affected hip joint.
_________________________________________________________
EXPLANATION OF THE PROCEDURE
In order to perform this procedure, your pet will be anesthetized.
After shaving the fur and preparing the skin, the surgeon will make ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROCEDURE
an incision on your pet’s leg near the hip. The skin and muscle Depending upon what disease process your pet has, such as
tissue will be gently moved out of the way in order to see the bone. coxofemoral luxation or hip dysplasia, there may be alternative
The surgeon will feel and visualize the proper points on the femur surgical options. Some of these options might only be available
bone and use a saw to remove the part of the bone that sits in the through a veterinary surgical specialist. We have discussed these
hip socket. This portion of the bone is called the femoral head and options and why we do or do not recommend these options for
neck. Once this piece of bone has been removed, the muscles will your pet.
be brought back into their normal place and the skin will be closed If you do not wish to pursue a surgical procedure for your pet,
with sutures and/or staples. A small bandage may then be applied there are lifestyle changes and/or medical options we can recom-
to the area to decrease the risk that the incision will become dirty mend for your pet to improve his or her chances for a good quality
while your pet is in the hospital. The surgeon will typically perform of life. These may include weight management, prescription of a
radiographs (x-rays) of your pet’s leg after surgery to evaluate the specially formulated “joint friendly” diet, prescription of medications
surgery site. Once your pet has recovered from anesthesia and is to help with arthritis and pain management, and physical therapy
ready to go home, a plan for rest and confinement, management exercises.
of postoperative surgical pain, and controlled exercise with physical Without any intervention, your pet will likely have chronic pain
therapy will be discussed with you. in the affected hip and may favor or use the leg less, which can
Additional procedures planned for your pet at the same time lead to loss of muscling in that limb.
as the femoral head and neck osteotomy:
AUTHORIZATION
____________________________________________________________ By signing this form below, you agree that:
• You understand how/why the procedure is likely to help your
USE OF SEDATIVES OR ANESTHESIA pet
This surgical procedure requires the use of general anesthesia. • You understand what will be done to your pet during the
This means that anesthetics will be given to your pet to cause him procedure
or her to become unconscious. Your pet will not be in any pain • You understand the known risks that accompany the proce-
during the surgery. Although anesthesia is performed routinely with dure, and also understand that unforeseen complications may
good outcomes, it does carry risks, including a small risk of death. occur
These risks may be increased if your pet has other concurrent • You understand that the procedure may not produce the results
conditions, such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and obesity, we hope to achieve
among others. • You understand the alternatives to this procedure for your pet

From Cohn and Côté: Clinical Veterinary Advisor, 4th edition. Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.