Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2023; 36(01): 53-62
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1756515
Clinical Communication

Management of Feline Femoral, Tibial and Humeral Fractures Using a 3.5 mm Titanium Interlocking Nail

Georg Michael Mund
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, Giessen, Hessen, Germany
,
Thomas Bitterli
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, Giessen, Hessen, Germany
,
Thomas Christian Häußler
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, Giessen, Hessen, Germany
,
Martin Gerwing
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, Giessen, Hessen, Germany
,
Christian Feichtenschlager
1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, Giessen, Hessen, Germany
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
› Further Information
   Buy Article Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objective Our objectives were to report complications associated with stabilization of long-bone fractures in cats using a 3.5-mm titanium interlocking nail and to examine the influences of signalment, fracture type and fixation evaluations on the occurrence of complications.

Study Design Retrospective clinical study.

Material and Methods Medical and radiographic records of cats with long-bone fractures treated with an interlocking nail were reviewed. Data included age, sex, weight, cause of the fracture, fractured bone(s) and fracture type. Complications were classified as minor and major complications. Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression analysis were used to test whether certain variables of signalment and interlocking nail configuration had an effect on the occurrence of complications.

Results Sixty-seven fractures of 67 cats were examined in this study. Forty-eight femora, sixteen tibiae and three humeri were included. Complications occurred in 11/67 fractures. Major complications occurred in 8/67 fractures and included screw breakage (n = 3), nail breakage (n = 2), nail bending (n = 1), screw loosening (n = 1), non-union (n = 1). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between fracture types and the occurrence of major complications (p = 0.02).

Conclusion In conclusion, use of this commercially available standard 3.5-mm titanium interlocking nail for stabilization of comminuted and oblique humeral, femoral and tibial fractures in cats is feasible.

Keywords

interlocking nail - feline - long-bone fractures - titanium - implant failure

Authors' Contributions

G.M.M. and C.F. contributed to conception of study, study design, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. T.B. contributed to study design and acquisition of data. T.C.B. contributed to study design and data analysis and interpretation. M.G. contributed to conception of study. All authors drafted and revised and approved the submitted manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 14 August 2021

Accepted: 06 July 2022

Article published online:
23 September 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany