Complications of Surgical Fixation of Traumatic Radius and Ulna Fractures in Sighthounds

Introduction: Radius ulna (RU) fracture repair complications include delayed union, nonunion, and surgical infection. Sighthounds are aerodynamic and hunt by sight and speed. Sighthounds are overrepresented for tarsal injury, bandage injury, and aberrant hemostasis. This investigation hypothesizes that sighthounds have increased complications following RU repair, RU revision surgeries were more likely to fail, and increased complications associated with lengthy anesthesia.

Materials and Methods: This multi-institutional retrospective study included sighthounds that presented for RU fracture surgical repair. Dogs with incomplete records were excluded. Complications were designated as minor or major.

Results: Ten sighthounds fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Minor and major complications were 70% and 40%, respectively. Minor complications comprised secondary bandage injuries and osteopenia. Major complications included delayed union and fractures. Treatments included medical management, revision, explantation, and amputation. Increased complications associated with prolonged anesthesia.

Discussion/Conclusion: Observed complication rate was greater than previously described. Injuries from implant and bandage forces can lead to SSIs, osteomyelitis, and infection. These complications averaged 23.3%. Osteopenia was observed in four dogs placed in postoperative splints greater than 2 months and was likely secondary to stress shielding. Greyhounds have cross-sectional geometric deviations that could increase RU fracture possibility. Two dogs suffered refracture and one had a pin tract fracture, which is four times higher than nonsighthound studies. Anesthesia correlates to infection risk and prolonged anesthesia is common at residency institutions. Four patients demonstrating major complications had longest anesthesia and (2/4) developed MRSP infections. Results supported the hypotheses. Study limitations include small cohort, retrospective design, and role of owner compliance.

Acknowledgements: There was no proprietary interest or funding provided for this project.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
11. September 2023