Evaluation of Two Miniplate Systems and Figure-of-eight Bandages for Stabilization of Experimentally Induced Ulnar and Radial Fractures in Pigeons (Columba livia)

Abstract

Although plate fixation has advantages over other fixation methods for certain indications, it is rarely used in avian surgery, especially in birds that weigh less than 1000 g. Exceptionally small plating systems for these birds are required, which are relatively expensive and difficult to insert. To study avian fracture healing after repair using miniplates, we evaluated 2 steel miniplate systems in 27 pigeons ( Columba livia ) divided into 4 groups. In each pigeon, the left ulna and radius were transected and the ulna was repaired with a bone plate. In groups A and B, a 1.3-mm adaption plate was applied without and with a figure-of-eight bandage; in groups C and D, a 1.0-mm compression plate was applied without and with a bandage, respectively. Healing was evaluated with radiographs after 3, 14, and 28 days; flight tests were conducted after 14, 21, and 28 days; and the wing was macroscopically examined after euthanasia of birds on day 28. Fractures healed without bending or distortion of the plate in all 27 birds, and no significant differences in healing were found between treatment groups. At the end of the study, 23 pigeons (85.2%) showed good or very good flight ability. Results show the 1.3-mm adaption plate and the 1.0-mm compression plate meet the requirements for avian osteosynthesis and can be recommended for fracture repair of the ulna or other long bones in birds weighing less than 500 g. The application of a figure-of-eight bandage might be beneficial in fracture healing.

Treatment of extremity fractures in 20 wild birds with a modified Meynard external fixator and clinical assessment of the results

“…Of the patients in our study that had a successful osteosynthesis, 50% of the cases were able to be released to the wild, representing 30% of the total patients enrolled in the study. In experimental studies conducted about fracture treatment in birds, the rates of healing and returning to nature were found to be higher than our study (Hatt et al 2007;Bennert et al 2016). According to the osteosynthesis results conducted on twelve pigeons with external fixation following an ulna osteotomy, bone healing was observed in all of the birds (Tunio et al 2014).…”

“…Postoperative complications for fracture treatments in birds have been reported as refractures, arthritis, synostosis, osteomyelitis, pododermatitis, pin breakage, pin loosening, neurological losses and non-unions (Bueno et al 2015;Bennert et al 2016;Gerbaga Ozsemir 2018). In the postoperative period, the complications seen in our study were synostosis, a malunion (angular deformity), muscle contracture, ankylosis, a patagial contracture, primary quill feather loss, a non-union, a fixator removal, a distal fragmented refracture and osteomyelitis (Table 2).…”