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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1991; 4(03): 86-94
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1633259
Research Report
Schattauer GmbH

Experimental and Clinical Experience with an IM Pin External Skeletal Fixator Tie-in Configuration[*]

D. N. Aron
1   From the Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
2   From the Department of Anatomy and Radiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
,
T. L. Foutz
4   From the Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
,
W. G. Keller
1   From the Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
2   From the Department of Anatomy and Radiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
,
J. Brown
3   From the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received for publication 25 June 1990

Publication Date:
06 February 2018 (online)

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Summary

An intramedullary (IM) pin external skeletal fixator “tie-in” configuration is described, for use as a stabilizing device, in the treatment of fractures of the humerus and femur in the dog and cat. With in vitro testing of the configuration using cadaver bones, more resistance to bending was gained by the tie-in arrangement than was possible with one not tied-in. Forty-one clinical cases documented the use of the tie-in configuration for fracture repair. Twenty-four dogs and 17 cats were treated over the past seven years. Fourteen were used to stabilize fractures of the humerus and 27 for the femur. Migration of the IM pin or external fixation frame was not seen and all of the cases went to bone union. The unconventional method of leaving the IM pin protruding from the skin did not lead to complications. All of the owners, contacted from one to two months after removal of the implants, reported their animals to have excellent or good results. Five animals were lost to follow-up.

Keywords

External skeletal fixation - IM pin - fracture fixation

* Presented in part at the Annual Conference of the Veterinary Orthopaedic Society, 1990


 

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