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Background The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of cannulated compression headless screws (CCHS) with cortical positional and lag screws in generating interfragmentary compression in a simulated feline sacroiliac luxation fracture (SILF) model. In this ex vivo biomechanical study thirty-six cadavers of adult domestic short-haired cats with simulated unilateral SILF were allocated to three groups. Pressure mapping sensors were inserted into the joint space prior to fracture reduction. The SILF models were stabilized with 2.5 mm CCHS ( n  = 12), 2.4 mm cortical position ( n  = 12) or lag screws ( n  = 12), each spanning 60% of the sacral width. Total force (N), area of compression (mm 2 ) and total pressure (N/mm 2 ) were recorded and compared between the three groups. Pairwise comparison (Dunn for Kruskal-Wallis, Student’s t-tests for Fisher’s ANOVA) determined post-hoc differences between groups. Results Total force ( p  = 0.23), area of compression ( p  = 0.62) and total pressure ( p  = 0.22) did not differ significantly between the three groups. Conclusion No statistically significant differences in interfragmentary compression were observed among the three screw types under the specific ex vivo static testing conditions used in the feline SILF model. These findings challenge the current recommendation for using compression screws in feline SILF from a biomechanical perspective.

Case summary A 7-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented for treatment of a bilateral sacroiliac luxation (SIL). CT was performed and the data were extracted in a stereolithography (STL) file, after which a 3D-printed drill guide (3DPDG) was devised, using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and printed. Using an open surgical approach, the guide was used as an aid for drilling the sacrum. The ilial wings were drilled free-hand later and a transiliosacral pin (TP) was inserted to realign and stabilise the SIL. The cat exhibited an early return to normal limb function and a CT scan performed at the postoperative follow-up showed early signs of bone remodelling at the sacroiliac joint. Relevance and novel information To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report using a 3DPDG for implant placement in the feline sacrum without intraoperative imaging.