The results of this study support the use of CESF for the management of antebrachial and crural septic nonunion fractures in dogs. Union was achieved in the majority of dogs and the complication rate was acceptable, considering the severity of the nonunion fractures that were managed in this fashion.

The results of this study support the use of CESF for treatment of fractures of the distal radius and ulna in toy breed dogs as an alternative to other methods of fracture fixation. However, this technique requires a series of follow-up examinations to evaluate the stability of the apparatus, the soundness of the wires and to determine the appropriate time for implant removal.

Distal femoral osteotomy is a surgical procedure used to correct patellar luxation, secondary to a femoral deformity. A distal femoral osteotomy using the tibial plateau levelling osteotomy-jig to temporarily provide stability of the distal femoral osteotomy, maintaining limb alignment in the frontal and axial planes prior to internal plate fixation of the osteotomy, has been described. This report describes a novel jig named Deformity Reduction Device (DRD). This device was developed with the specific aim of increasing precision and predictability during corrective osteotomy execution in order to be consistent with the preoperative planning. The distal femoral osteotomy DRD-assisted procedure is described in detail, discussing the theoretical and practical principles of the application.

A standard skeletal traction technique was applied to each major segment of the appendicular skeleton of ten fresh dog cadavers. Opposition points and anchorage points for the application of traction were determined for each skeletal segment. Traction was exerted by means of a micrometric traction stand, connected to the limb by bands or a stirrup. Traction was applied to the antebrachium and the tibia through nylon traction bands anchored to the metacarpus and metatarsus, respectively. A traction stirrup applied to the condylar region was used as the anchorage point to load the humerus and femur. Once a peak force of 25 kg weight was achieved, the load was monitored for half an hour to check for any variation. After that, each skeletal segment was osteotomized in the mid-diaphyseal region, and evaluated for any angular malalignment due to a mismatch between the axis of the bone and the applied loading. Any ensuing angular malalignment was successfully corrected by manoeuvres using the traction stand. The technique used in this study to perform intraoperative skeletal traction proved to be reliable and consistent for each segment of the appendicular skeleton.

The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of a method for pre-operative and intra-operative traction for reduction of fractures of the appendicular skeleton. Traction was used in 24 diaphyseal fractures in 21 dogs. For each dog, the data pertaining to signalment, limb circumference, fracture type, interval between fracture and surgery, and the traction modalities were recorded. In patients with a latency between trauma and surgery of less than three days, the duration of traction required to realign the bone segments was shorter than that required for older fractures (P = 0.02). Intraoperative malalignments were corrected by manoeuvres performed with the traction stand. Once realigned, fracture segments were kept stable for prolonged periods, without the need for a surgical assistant. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated for fracture reduction and axial alignment. Postoperative alignment was judged excellent in 21 fractures and good in three fractures. Fractures were stabilized using external skeletal fixation (n = 10), plates (n = 11) or locked nails (n = 3), depending on the fracture type. The use of the technique was straight-forward and easily applied in a surgical setting. However, its use requires careful application because of the potential for iatrogenic tissue damage.