Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1997; 10(02): 75-78
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632574
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Vascular Injury and Delayed Hemorrhage after Antebrachial External Skeletal Fixation in a Dog

E. B. Davidson
1   From de Department of Small Animal Surgery, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, California, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received for publication 10 October 1996

Publication Date:
22 February 2018 (online)

Summary

A seven-month-old female Saluki was diagnosed with angular limb deformity due to premature closure of the left distal ulnar physis. Corrective radial osteotomy and ulnar ostectomy were performed, and the radius was stabilized with external skeletal fixation. Profuse haemorrhage occurred from the second medioproximal pin site two weeks after surgery. Removal of the pin resolved the hemorrhage. Early recognition and treatment of vascular injury secondary to vessel erosion after external skeletal fixation is necessary, as this is a serious complication. Appropriate pin placement in the radius will prevent this complication.

Two weeks after application of an external skeletal fixator to the antibrachium of a seven-month-old Saluki profused haemorrhage occurred from one pin site. Surgical removal of the pin was necessary to arrest haemorrhage.

 
  • REFERENCES

  • 1 Fox SM, Bray JC, Guerin SR, Burbridge HM. Antebrachial deformities in the dog: treatment with external fixation. J Small Anim Pract 1995; 36: 315-20.
  • 2 Paul MA, Parka P, Van Heuzen EP. et al. Vascular injury from external fixation: case reports. J Trauma 1992; 33: 917-20.
  • 3 Egger EL. Complications of external fixation: a problem-oriented approach. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1991; 21: 705-33.
  • 4 Johnson AL, Kneller SK, Weigel RM. Radial and tibial fracture repair with external skeletal fixation: effects of fracture type, reduction, and complications on healing. Vet Surg 1989; 18: 367-72.
  • 5 Harari J. Complications of external skeletal fixation. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1992; 22: 99-107.
  • 6 Roth JH, Vandersluis R. Pin-site radioulnar synostosis after external fixation of a distal radial fracture: two case reports. Can J Surg 1993; 36: 137-40.
  • 7 Forell EB, Schwarz PD. Use of external skeletal fixation for treatment of angular deformity secondary to premature distal ulnar physeal closure. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1993; 29: 460-76.
  • 8 Egger EL. Fractures of the radius and ulna. In: Textbook of small animal surgery 2nd ed.. Slatter D. (ed). Philadelphia: Saunders; 1993: 1736-57.
  • 9 Piermattei DL. Atlas of Surgical Approaches to the Bones and Joints of the Dog and Cat. 3rd ed.. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1993: 190-1. 1969
  • 10 Krupski WC. Management of the injured patient: arterial injuries. In: Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment 10th ed.. Way LS. (ed). Norwalk: Appleton and Lange; 1994: 234
  • 11 Dwyer N. Preliminary report upon a new fixation device for fractures of long bones. Injury 1973; 5: 141-4.
  • 12 Marti JM, Miller A. Delimitation of safe corridors for the insertion of external fixator pins in the dog 2: forelimb. J Small Anim Pract 1994; 35: 78-85.
  • 13 Evans HE. Miller's Anatomy of the Dog. 3rd ed.. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1993: 638-43.
  • 14 Anderson WD, Anderson BG. eds. Atlas of Canine Anatomy Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger; 1994: 907-10.