Biodegradable polylactide plates could be considered as an alternative to metal plates for radial fracture repair in Toy breed dogs, however available plates are likely not strong enough when used as a single plate. Implant removal is usually not needed.

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A method of internal fracture fixation using rod‐shaped biodegradable implants made of self‐reinforced polyglycolic acid (PGA) is described. These biodegradable implants were employed in the fixation of fractures in a metaphysis and diaphysis. The fractures healed clinically and radiolo‐gically in six weeks without complicatons. The patients started to use the operated limbs during the first postoperative week and lameness disappeared within six weeks. Biodegradable fixation devices will be a useful tool in the treatment of fractures in veterinary surgery.

In fracture treatment, several adverse effects of metal, especially its excessive rigidity, often require the removal of the implants after a fracture has healed. Recent research with biodegradable polymers has contributed to the development of totally biodegradable polylactic acid implants with very high initial bending and shear strengths, but a modulus of elasticity comparable to that of bone. These implants were originally intended for use in fractures involving cancellous bone. Encouraging results from treating experimentally produced diaphyseal fractures led the authors to use these implants in a clinical trial on shaft fractures in dogs and cats. In this study, a total of 11 dogs and 14 cats had 28 diaphyseal fractures treated with one or several intramedullary pins of self‐reinforced left isomeric polylactic acid. Of the 25 treated cases, 23 healed. Four of these had an unsatisfactory end result attributed to the implants used and one developed an osteomyelitis. Thus, out of 25 fractures, 23 united (92 per cent] and 18 [72 per cent) had a good or excellent outcome.

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