Clinical outcomes of 119 miniature‐ and toy‐breed dogs with 140 distal radial and ulnar fractures repaired with free‐form multiplanar type II external skeletal fixation

Abstract

Objective: To report the clinical outcomes of miniature-and toy-breed dogs with primary and previously treated distal radial and ulnar fractures (RUF) treated with a free-form multiplanar type II external skeletal fixation (ESF). Study design: Retrospective study. Animals: One hundred nineteen dogs with 140 distal RUF.Methods: Medical records (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017) were reviewed for dogs weighing up to 7 kg that had been treated for distal RUF with a free-form multiplanar type II ESF.Data collected included signalment, fracture location and configuration, fracture reduction, intraoperative realignment, time to bone union and implant removal, duration of destabilization and postoperative splint, complications, and outcomes.Follow-up consisted of clinical and radiographic evaluation or telephone interview. Results: All fractures healed, with a median time of 60 days, and entire ESF was removed, with a median time of 89 days. Major complications occurred in four fractures: premature pin loosening, elbow subluxation, osteomyelitis, and delayed union. Minor complications occurred in 52 fractures (61 events). All dogs had a successful return to normal limb function at final follow-up (median, seven months; range, 2-97). Conclusion: All primary and previously treated distal RUF in miniature-and toy-breed dogs healed and allowed return to normal function after fixation with a free-form multiplanar type II ESF. Clinical significance: The free-form multiplanar type II ESF provides an alternative for minimally invasive fixation of distal RUF in miniature-and toy-breed dogs that facilitates fracture reduction, intraoperative realignment, adequate initial fixation stability, destabilization, and implant removal.

Retrospective Evaluation of Challenging Delayed Union and Non-union Encountered in Dogs: 16 Cases (2012-2018)

“…Radius/Ulna fractures in toy breeds are challenging; various different stabilization methods such as miniature circular external fixator, paraosseous clamp-cerclage, mini locking plate and free-form external fixators were reported for their management (Aikawa et al, 2019;Bierens et al, 2017;Kang et al, 2016;Manchi et al, 2017). Despite having a high incidence of complications for R/U fractures (Lappin et al, 1983), external coaptation is the most widely available and cheapest option.…”

A Retrospective Study of Postoperative Development of Implant-Induced Osteoporosis in Radial–Ulnar Fractures in Toy Breed Dogs Treated with Plate Fixation

“…These epidemiological features were consistent with previous studies on small animal orthopaedic surgery. 1,20,21 Approximately, 3% of major complications require postoperative revision using CP systems. 20 Furthermore, a retrospective study using locking compression plates reported that 9% of the complications were implant-related complications.…”

Infection rate treating radial and ulnar fractures using bone plate fixation without antibiotic prophylaxis

“…A variety of techniques exist for the fixation of these fractures. External skeletal fixation can be successfully used (Aikawa et al 2019). However, plate and screw fixation is the most common method of fixation (Gibert et al 2015).…”