A Review of 116 Clinical Cases Treated with External Fixators

J. Font; J. Franch; J. Cairó

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1632591

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1997; 10(04): 173-182
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632591

Review Article

Schattauer GmbH

A Review of 116 Clinical Cases Treated with External Fixators

J. Font

¹From the Hospital Veterinari Canis, Girona, Spain

,

J. Franch

²From the Departament de Cirurgia, Facultat de Veterinaria, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

,

J. Cairó

¹From the Hospital Veterinari Canis, Girona, Spain

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

One hundred and sixteen clinical cases (113 dogs) in which the external skeletal fixation was applied as the primary method of stabilization were reviewed. The 116 clinical cases were divided into the following groups: open fractures (41 cases); gunshot fractures (8 cases); comminuted fractures (11 cases); fractures affecting immature animals (11 cases); trans-articular application of external fixators (16 cases); corrective osteotomies (4 cases) and “simple” fractures (25 cases). History and signs of the animal (breed, age and weight), location and treatment of the fracture, healing time and functional recovery were evaluated in each case and discussed for every group. The mean healing time in the different groups ranged from 4.6 wks (immature animal’s fractures) to 13 wks (gunshot fractures). With reference to the functional recovery, in 14 cases (12.1%) the results were poor, in 57 cases (49.1%) the results were good and in 45 cases (38.3%) the results were excellent. The main complications observed were delayed union, non-union and osteomyelitis.

One hundred and sixteen clinical cases of fractures (113 dogs) were treated with a »Meynard« external fixator. The cases were divided in 7 groups: open fractures, gunshot fractures, comminuted fractures, fractures affecting immature animals, trans-articular application of external fixators, corrective osteotomies and »simple« fractures. Each case is reviewed and a discussion is provided for each group.

Keywords

Dog - external skeletal fixators

Full Text

References

REFERENCES
1 Anson LW. Emergency management of fractures. In: Textbook of Small Animal Surgery 2nd.. Slatter D. (ed). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1993: 1603-9.
2 Bebchuk TN, Harari J. Gunshot Injuries: Pathophysiology and Treatments. Vet Clin North Am (Small Anim Pract) 1995; 25 (05) 1111-26.
3 Boone EG, Johnson Al, Montavon P, Hohn RD. Fractures of the tibia diaphysis in dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986; 188: 41-5.
4 Clamen C. Closed Reduction of a Tibial Nonunion by Transfixation Pinning. Vet Surg 1980; 9 (04) 125-7.
5 de Haan JJ, Goring RL, Renberg C, Bertrand S. Modified transarticular external skeletal fixation for support of Achilles tenorrhaphy in four dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1995; 8: 32-5.
6 Doherty MA, Smith MM. Contamination and infection of fractures resulting from gunshot trauma in dogs: 20 cases (1987 - 1992). J Am Anim Vet Assoc 1995; 206 (02) 203-5.
7 Drapé J. Les fractures du jeune chien en croissance. Le Point Vétérinaire 1992; 24 (147) 47-55.
8 Egger EL, Greenwood K. External Skeletal Fixation. In: Textbook of Small Animal Surgery 1st Ed.. Slatter D. (ed). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 1985: 1972-88.
9 Egger EL. External Skeletal Fixation. In: Textbook of Small Animal Surgery 2nd.. Slatter D. (ed). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 1993: 1641-55.
10 Elkins AD, Morandi M, Zembo M. Distraction osteogenesis in the dog using the Ilizarov external ring fixator. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1993; 29: 419-26.
11 Foland MA, Egger EL. Application of type III external fixators: a review of 23 clinical fractures in 20 dogs and two cat. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1991; 27: 193-202.
12 Font J. Fijación Externa en el perro. Aplicación Clínica. Estudio comparativo de dos configuraciones. Thesis; Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona; Spain: 1991
13 Forell E, Schwarz P. 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.
14 Franch J. Estudio de la implantatión angulada o transversa con flexión de las agujas transfixiantes sobre la cicatrizatión de osteotomías tibiales en perro reducidas mediante fijadores externos. Estudio chíico, radiológic, gammagráfico, microangiográfico, microrradiográfico, histolégico y de microscopía electrónica de retrodispersión.. Thesis. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.; Spain: 1994
15 Goodship AE, Watkins PE, Rigby HS, Kenwright J. The role of fixator frame stiffness in the control of fracture healing. An experimental study. J Biomechanics 1993; 26 (09) 1027-35.
16 Green SA. Complications of External Skeletal Fixation. Causes, Prevention and Treatment. Springfield: CC Thomas; 1981: 12-30.
17 Hunt JM, Aitken ML, Denny HR, Gibbs C. The complications of diaphyseal fractures in dogs: a review of 100 cases. J Small Anim Pract 1980; 21: 103-19.
18 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 (05) 367-72.
19 Latte Y. Un cas de radius curvus traité par le méthode d'llizarov. Le point Vétérinaire 1990; 125 (21) 805-18.
20 Latte Y, Drapé J. Traitement chirurgical des fractures diaphysaires du fémur du jeune chien par plaques (ostéosynthèse semi-rigide). L'Animal de Compagnie 1991; 26 (03) 187-201.
21 McLaughlin RM. The evolution of the understanding of bone healing. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1991; 4: 16-20.
22 Meynard JA. Utilisation des fixateurs externes dans le traitment des fractures multiesquilleuses du radius, du cubitus et du tibia chez le chien. Bulletin de 1 Academie Nationale de Médecine 1975; 159: 186-9.
23 Meynard JA, Goudichaud JA, Pelse H. Limites et échecs de l'utilisation des fixateurs externes dans le traitement des fractures chez le chien. L'Animal de Compagnie 1982; 17 (01) 83-92.
24 Meynard JA. Fixation Externe. Etude biomécanique appliquée a la clinique. L'Animal de Compagnie 1989; 24 (05) 611-20.
25 Moore RW, Withrow SJ. The management of open fractures and gunshot injuries. In: Canine Orthopaedics. Whittick WG. (ed). Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1990: 297-307.
26 Morshead D, Leeds EB. Kirschner Ehmer apparatus immobilization following Achilles tendon repair in six dogs. Vet Surg 1984; 13 (01) 11-4.
27 Nunamaker DM. Open fractures and Gunshot Injuries. In: Textbook of Small Animal Orthopaedics. Newton CD, and Nunamaker DM. (eds.). Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1985: 481-5.
28 Olds R, Green S. Hoffmann's External Fixation for arthrodesis and infected nonunions in the dog. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1982; 19: 705-12.
29 Rhinelander FW, Wilson JW. Blood Supply to Developing, Mature and Healing Bone. In: Bone in Clinical Orthopaedics. A Study in Comparative Osteology. Summer-Smith G. (ed). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1982: 81-158.
30 Robertson J. Application of a modified Kirschner device in the distraction mode as a prevention of antebrachial deformities in early physeal closure. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1983; 19 (03) 345-51.
31 Ross JT, Matthiesen DT. The use of multiple pin and methylmethacrylate external skeletal fixation for the treatment of orthopaedic injuries in the dog and cat. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1993; 6: 115-21.
32 Schmidt-Morand D, Fontaine D. Luxationsfractures tibio-tarsiannes ouvertes chez le chien et le chat.: Reparation par montage de fixateurs externes. L'Animal de Compagnie 1986; 21 (05) 351-9.
33 Stampley AR, Delmain KS. The results of internal fixation for the treatment of open fractures in 32 dogs. Can Pract 1991; 16 (06) 22-7.
34 Schwach RP, Park RD, Piermattei DL. Gunshot fractures of extremities: Classification, management and complications. Vet Surg 1979; 8: 57-61.
35 Tillson D. Open fractures management. Vet Clin North Am (Small Anim Pract) 1995; 25 (05) 1093-110.
36 Toombs JP. Transarticular Application of External Skeletal Fixation. Vet Clin North Am (Small Anim Pract) 1992; 22 (01) 181-94.
37 Turner TM. Open fractures and Osteomyelitis. Am Anim Hosp Assoc's 49th Annual Meeting Proceedings 1982: 284-5.
38 Van Vechten B, Vasseur P. Complication of middiaphyseal radial osteoctomy performed for treatment of premature closure of the distal radial physis in two dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1993; 202 (01) 97-100.
39 Waters DJ, Breur G, Toombs J. Treatment of common forelimb fractures in miniature and toy breed dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1993; 29: 442-8.