Lubra plates are flexible, surgical, plastic plates that can be implanted into your dog and fastened to adjacent bony processes to provide stabilization to fractured or displaced bone structures. They come in a variety of sizes. Small Lubra plates can be used in the eye socket to provide stabilization to damaged orbital bones, larger plates can provide structure to pelvic and scapular fractures. Pairs are often used on either side of vertebral processes to “splint” injured vertebrae.
Prior to surgical implantation, multiple radiographs will be used to diagnose and plan the repair of fracture or subluxation of spine or other damaged bone. Your dog will be put under general anaesthetic and will require fasting prior to surgery so as not to cause complications during general anesthetic administration with gastric contents. The area required for surgical incision will have hair removed, and be cleaned and draped with surgical drapes to maintain a sterile surgical site.
Lubra plates to be used will have been sterilized in an autoclave prior to surgery. An incision will be made dorsally on your dog’s back if vertebra are being treated, or as appropriate to access other damaged bone. The damaged vertebra or bone will be isolated. The Lubra plates have multiple holes which will be aligned to allow fixation with orthopedic screws or bolts to healthy boney processes adjacent to the damaged or displaced bones. If ribs are being repaired, the plates may be wired to remaining rib ends. If necessary, Lubra plates can be cut to fit the patient's needs or shaped or drilled with surgical tubes to adapt them as necessary to provide appropriate stabilization. To apply to spinal processes, two or more plates are placed along both sides of damaged vertebral and bolts placed through to secure them. Plates are tightened so they bend around the spinous processes. Once plates have been appropriately placed, incisions are closed and your dog will be put into recovery from anesthetic. Pain killer will be administered at the time of surgery and will continue post surgically.