Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2004; 17(03): 110-120
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632808
Clinical Communication
Schattauer GmbH

The clamp rod internal fixator application and results in 120 small animal fracture patients

K. Zahn
1   Clinic of Veterinary Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
,
U. Matis
1   Clinic of Veterinary Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 24 February 2004

Accepted 01 May 2004

Publication Date:
08 February 2018 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

The clamp rod internal fixator (CRIF), also known as VetFix, consists of clamps that are slid onto a rod and fixed to the bone with screws. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the results of using the CRIF in 50 canine and 70 feline patients with closed (n = 93) and open (n = 10) transverse, oblique and comminuted fractures of the femur, tibia, humerus, acetabulum, radius, scapula and ulna. Fourteen further fractures were non-unions. In addition, the CRIF was used to repair three fracture-luxations of the spine. Fracture fixation was performed by application of one or two CRIF devices with 2.0, 2.7 or 3.5 mm cortical screws, using AO osteosynthesis instrumentation. Forty-five dogs and 55 cats were re-evaluated clinically and radiographically after an average of five months. Uneventful fracture healing occurred in 75 of these patients. In ten cases, follow-up was only available until six weeks post-surgery at which time fracture healing was incomplete. Of the total of 15 complications, five were resolved by exercise restriction alone, while the CRIF had to be replaced in six other patients. One cat with a spinal fracture-luxation was euthanized due to deterioration of neurological status. Three animals were unavailable for further follow-up. With the inclusion of both uneventful and complicated fracture healing, 86/90 patients ultimately achieved complete fracture healing. Our results suggest that the CRIF system can be used successfully to treat a great variety of fractures in dogs and cats.

Keywords

Dog - cat - fracture repair - VetFix - Internal Fixator
 

  • References

  • 1 Blaeser LL, Gallagher JG, Boudrieau RJ. Treatment of biologically inactive non-unions by a limited en bloc ostectomy and compression plate fixation: a review of 17 cases. Vet Surg 2003; 32: 91-100.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Braden TD, Brinker WO. Effect of certain internal fixation devices on functional limb usage in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1973; 162: 642-6.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Braden TD, Eicker SW, Abdinoor D, Prieur WD. Characteristics of 1000 femur fractures in the dog and cat. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1995; 08: 203-9.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bruese S, Dee J, Prieur WD. Internal fixation with a veterinary cuttable plate in small animals. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1989; 01: 40-6.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Bruese S, Prieur WD. Anwendung der Veterinärabschneideplatte (VCP) in 160 Fällen. Tieraerztl Prax 1996; 24: 581-9.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Brunnberg L, Horst C, Gagel A. et al. Die No Contact Plate (NCP) Osteosyntheseplatte – Ein neues biologisches Implantatsystem. Kleintierpraxis 1998; 43: 579-91.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Cabassu JP. Elastic plate osteosynthesis of femoral shaft fractures in young dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2001; 14: 40-5.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Dudley M, Johnson AL, Olmstead M. et al. Open reduction and bone plate stabilization, compared with closed reduction and external fixation, for treatment of comminuted tibial fractures: 47 cases (1980-1995) in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997; 211: 1008-12.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Duhautois B. Use of interlocking nails for diaphyseal fractures in dogs and cats: 121 cases. Vet Surg 2003; 32: 8-20.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Dyce J, Houlton JEF. Use of reconstruction plates for repair of acetabular fractures in 16 dogs. J Small Anim Pract 1993; 34: 547-53.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Frigg R. Locking compression plate (LCP). An osteosynthesis plate based on the dynamic compression plate and the point contact fixator (PC-Fix). Injury 2001; 32: 63-6.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Haerdi C, Dalla RCosta, Auer JA. et al. Mechanical comparison of 3 different clamp and 2 different rod types of a new veterinary internal fixation system, 4.5/5.5-mm VetFix. Vet Surg 2003; 32: 431-8.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Haerdi-Landerer C, Steiner A, Linke B. et al. Comparison of double dynamic compression plating versus two configurations of an internal veterinary fixation device: results of in vitro mechanical testing using a bone substitute. Vet Surg 2002; 31: 582-8.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hulse D, Hyman W, Nori M. et al. Reduction in plate strain by addition of an intramedullary pin. Vet Surg 1997; 26: 451-9.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Jain R, Podworny N, Hupel TM. et al. Influence of plate design on cortical bone perfusion and fracture healing in canine segmental tibial fractures. J Orthop Trauma 1999; 13: 178-86.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Johnson AL, Smith CW, Schaeffer DJ. Fragment reconstruction and bone plate fixation versus bridging plate fixation for treating highly comminuted femoral fractures in dogs: 35 cases (1987-1997). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998; 213: 1157-61.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Keller M, Voss K. AO Vet News. UniLock: Applications in small animals. AO Dialogue 2002; 15: 20-1.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Kerwin SC, Hulse DL, Mertens WD. Use of the VetFix for the treatment of fractures in dogs. 30th Annual Conference Veterinary Orthopedic Society, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 2003: 88.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Knobloch S. Komplikationen nach Osteosynthese von Schaftfrakturen langer Röhrenknochen bei Hund und Katze. Ursachen, Therapie und Ergebnisse in den Jahren 1980-1987. Thesis LMU Munich. 1990
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Lewis DD, van Ee RT, Oakes MG, Elkins AD. Use of reconstruction plates for stabilization of fractures and osteotomies involving the supracondylar region of the femur. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1993; 29: 171-8.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Matis U. Biologische Osteosynthese. In: Kleintierkrankheiten Band 3. Bonath KH, Prieur WD. Orthopädische Chirurgie und Traumatologie. Stuttgart: Ulmer; 1998: 230-8.
    Google Scholar
  • 22 Matis U. Fractures of the hip. 10th Annual Veterinary Surgical Forum, AO/ASIF Veterinary Section Meeting. Chicago: 1982
    Google Scholar
  • 23 Matis U. Reconstruction and orbital plates in small animal fracture treatment. A review of 363 fixations. 21st Annual Meeting ACVS, Orlando. 1986
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Nye R, Egger E, Huhta J. et al. Acute failure characteristics of six methods for internal fixation of canine femoral oblique fractures. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1996; 09: 106-10.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Perren SM. The concept of biological plating using the limited contact-dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP). Scientific background, design and application. Injury 1991; 22: 1-41.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Piermattei DL, Flo GL. Brinker, Piermattei, and Flo’s Handbook of small animal orthopedics and fracture repair. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1997
    Google Scholar
  • 27 Piermattei DL, Johnson KA. An atlas of surgical approaches to the bones and joints of the dog and cat. Fourth ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2004
    Google Scholar
  • 28 Pohler O. Complications of internal fixation. In: Manual of internal fixation in small animals. Brinker WO, Olmstead ML, Sumner-Smith G, Prieur WD. Berlin: Springer; 1998: 109-10.
    Google Scholar
  • 29 Ramotowski W, Granowski R. Zespol – An original method of stable osteosynthesis. Clin Orthoped Rel Res 1991; 272: 67-75.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Reems MR, Beale BS, Hulse DA. Use of a plate-rod construct and principles of biological osteosynthesis for repair of diaphyseal fractures in dogs and cats: 47 cases (1994-2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003; 223: 330-5.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Richter M, Wilke HJ, Kluger P. et al. Biomechanical evaluation of a new modular rodscrew implant system for posterior instrumentation of the occipito-cervical spine: in-vitro comparison with two established implant systems. Eur Spine J 2000; 09: 417-25.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Robins GM. Delayed union and non-union. In: Manual of internal fixation in small animals. Brinker WO, Olmstead ML, Sumner-Smith G, Prieur WD. Berlin: Springer; 1998: 227-40.
    Google Scholar
  • 33 Savoldelli D, Montavon PM. Clinical handling: small animals. In: Point Contact Fixator: Part 1. Injury 1995; 26: 47-50.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Schatzker J, Meutstege F, Prieur WD. Implants and their application. In: Manual of internal fixation in small animals. Brinker WO, Olmstead ML, Sumner-Smith G, Prieur WD. Berlin: Springer; 1998: 57-94.
    Google Scholar
  • 35 Schatzker J. Changes in the AO/ASIF principles and methods. In: Point Contact Fixator: Part 1. Injury 1995; 26: 51-6.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Schwandt CS. User manual for the 4.5/5.5 mm VetFix: Developement of a new veterinary internal fixation system, from the prototype to the final version. Thesis University of Bern. Switzerland: 2001
    Google Scholar
  • 37 Thiess A. Frakturen, Luxationen und Luxationsfrakturen der Wirbelsäule beim Hund. Thesis, Munich. 1983
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Unger M, Montavon PM, Heim FA. Classification of fractures of long bones in the dog and cat. Introduction and clinical application. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1990; 03: 41-50.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Walter MC, Smith GK, Newton CD. Canine lumbar spinal internal fixation techniques. Vet Surg 1986; 15: 191-8.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Zahn K, Matis U. et al. Biomechanical comparison of the VetFix system and commonly used AO bone plates. ESVOT-VOS 1stWorld Orthopaedic Veterinary Congress, Munich. 2002
    PubMedGoogle Scholar