Use of the tubular external fixator in the treatment of distal radial and ulnar fractures in small dogs and cats

B. Haas; I. M. Reichler; P. M. Montavon

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1632769

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2003; 16(03): 132-137
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632769

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

Use of the tubular external fixator in the treatment of distal radial and ulnar fractures in small dogs and cats

A retrospective clinical study

B. Haas

¹Clinic of Small Animal Surgery, University of Zurich, Switzerland

,

I. M. Reichler

²Department of Small Animal Obstetrics, University of Zurich, Switzerland

,

P. M. Montavon

¹Clinic of Small Animal Surgery, University of Zurich, Switzerland

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Twenty-two fractures of the distal radius and ulna in small dogs and cats treated with a tubular external fixator system were evaluated. Radius/ulna fractures in toy breeds often occur in the distal metaphyseal region. Placing two screws through a bone plate in the distal radius in such cases is difficult even if a miniplate is used. The tubular external fixator allows multiple-pin clamping in parallel with a single connecting bar. Using this technique, four pins can be placed in a bone fragment, the length of which would hold only two screws in a 2.0 mini-DCP. The tubular external fixator was found to be a satisfactory alternative to bone plating for the fixation of distal radial/ulnar fractures, providing sufficient fracture stability with minimal soft tissue trauma.

Keywords

Tubular external fixator - radius/ulna fracture - small dog - cat

Full Text

References

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