Use of a circular external skeletal fixator for stabilization of a comminuted diaphyseal metatarsal fracture in an alpaca

Abstract

Although mostly restricted to small animals, application of a CESF can be a viable alternative for management of long bone fractures in South American camelids.

Comparison of Fixation Methods for Treatment of Long Bone Fractures in Llamas and Alpacas

“…There were 13 (68%) comminuted fractures; 4 (21%) transverse; and 2 (11%) oblique fractures. Fractures involved the diaphysis (10), metaphysis (7), physis (1), or both diaphysis and metaphysis (1). Thirteen (68%) fractures were closed and 6 (32%) were grade 1 open fractures, of which 5 (83%) involved either the metacarpus or metatarsus, and 1 (17%) involved the tibia.…”

“…Characteristics of llamas and alpacas that facilitate outcome after long bone fracture repair are a quiet, stoic temperament; tolerance of prolonged periods of recumbency for recovery after surgery; relatively low body weight; ability to ambulate using 3 limbs; and tolerance of external fixation devices. [1][2][3] Many repair methods, [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] each involving relatively few animals with large variation in complication rates [12][13][14][15] have been reported for long bone fractures in llamas and alpacas; however, the optimal approach to long bone fracture repair is unclear. It is our clinical impression that internal (plate) fixation of long bone fractures in llamas and alpacas results in a favorable outcome with few major complications, compared with other fixation methods.…”

Surgical correction of bilateral metacarpophalangeal valgus with curved osteotomies and type II external skeletal fixation in a seven-month-old alpaca

“…For these reasons, external skeletal fixation was used to stabilize the osteotomies in the alpaca in this report. Different configurations and frame designs of external skeletal fixation have been used successfully to treat fractures in large animal species and have proven a suitable technique for the stabilization of fractures in llamas and alpacas with minimal complications (19)(20)(21). The strength of a particular external skeletal fixator is determined by the frame geometry; number, design, type (full or half pin), and size of the fixation pins, as well as the number and material makeup of the connecting bars (18).…”

Use of a circular external skeletal fixator to treat comminuted metacarpal and tibial fractures in six calves

“…In dogs, there have been many reports of the use of the Ilizarov system in the treatment of fractures (Ferretti 1991, Bilgili and others 1999b, 2006, 2007, Olcay and Bilgili 1999), the correction of deformities, bone lengthening and distraction osteogenesis (Elkins and others 1993). There have been only a limited number of studies of the use of the Ilizarov system in large animals (Ferretti 1991, Pistani and others 1997, Olcay and others 1999, Bilgili and others 1999a, Aithal and others 2004, 2007, Rubio‐Martinez and others 2007). Compared with cats and dogs, calves live in relatively dirty surroundings and have almost no ability to groom themselves (Bilgili and others 1999a, Olcay and others 1999).…”