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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · VCOT Open 2025; 08(01): e56-e70
DOI: 10.1055/a-2552-5934
Original Research

Use of a Novel External Skeletal Fixation System (Exvet) for Long Bone Fracture Stabilization in Young Cats

Sencer Uygur 
1   Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
2   Department of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
,
Atilla Dogan 
1   Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
2   Department of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
,
Merve Yıldız Dogan 
1   Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
2   Department of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
,
Fati Qoti 
1   Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
2   Department of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
,
Cenk Yardımcı 
3   Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayıs, Samsun, Türkiye
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Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective

To describe the use of a novel external skeletal fixation (ESF) system for long-bone fracture stabilization in 30 cats.

Study Design

Medical records of consecutive cases with femoral, tibial, humeral, and antebrachial fractures in cats, repaired with the Exvet ESF system at two different academic institutions between September 2022 and December 2023, were included. Data were collected regarding signalment, surgical approach, weight of Exvet frame, postoperative complications/additional treatments, days to dynamization, days to ESF removal, radiographic evaluation, and clinical outcome.

Results

Thirty cases met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 23.5 months (range: 2 months to 13 years), and the mean body weight was 3.7 kg (range: 750 g to 7.35 kg). Fracture distribution was 56.6% tibial, 23.3% femoral, 13.3% antebrachial, and 6.66% humeral. Reduction was achieved in 63.3% of fractures in a closed fashion, 23.3% were reduced by a limited open approach, and 13.3% were fixed in an open fashion. The median weight of the ESF frames was 27.8 g (range: 13–42.5). The mean time to ESF removal was 32 days (range: 16–63 days). Full functional outcome was achieved in 79.9% of cases, 16.6% had an acceptable outcome immediately after ESF removal, and in 3.3% the outcome was unfavorable.

Conclusion

Our findings show that the novel Exvet ESF system seems a safe and effective option for mini-invasive treatment of long-bone fractures in young cats.

Keywords

circular ESF - fracture fixation - external skeletal fixation - orthopaedic implants - orthopaedic surgery

Authors' Contributions

S.U. is the primary author who planned, designed, and wrote the work, developed the implants, and supervised all procedures. A.D., M.Y.D., and F.Q. contributed to case management and manuscript preparation. C.Y. contributed to the review and editing of the manuscript.


Ethics Statement

This study does not present any ethical concerns. In addition, for all diagnostic and medical procedures, an informed consent of the owner was obtained.




Publication History

Received: 26 May 2024

Accepted: 04 March 2025

Article published online:
01 April 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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