Vascular Injury and Delayed Hemorrhage after Antebrachial External Skeletal Fixation in a Dog

E. B. Davidson

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1632574

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1997; 10(02): 75-78
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632574

Case Report

Schattauer GmbH

Vascular Injury and Delayed Hemorrhage after Antebrachial External Skeletal Fixation in a Dog

E. B. Davidson

¹From de Department of Small Animal Surgery, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, California, USA

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

A seven-month-old female Saluki was diagnosed with angular limb deformity due to premature closure of the left distal ulnar physis. Corrective radial osteotomy and ulnar ostectomy were performed, and the radius was stabilized with external skeletal fixation. Profuse haemorrhage occurred from the second medioproximal pin site two weeks after surgery. Removal of the pin resolved the hemorrhage. Early recognition and treatment of vascular injury secondary to vessel erosion after external skeletal fixation is necessary, as this is a serious complication. Appropriate pin placement in the radius will prevent this complication.

Two weeks after application of an external skeletal fixator to the antibrachium of a seven-month-old Saluki profused haemorrhage occurred from one pin site. Surgical removal of the pin was necessary to arrest haemorrhage.

Keywords

Angular limb deformity - external skeletal fixation - vascular injury

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References

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