Ch. 42: ESF

Question 1

Sherman VSURG 2023

Linear external skeletal fixation applied in minimally invasive fashion for stabilization of nonarticular tibial fractures in dogs and cats

• % used intra-op imaging?
• % complications? type of fx more likely to have complications?
• mean time to removal?
• conclusion?

Answer 1

Intraoperative imaging was used in 40/55 (72%) of cases.

A total of 22 (40%) complications occurred (4 were minor). Open fractures had more major complications than closed fractures.

The mean ± SD time to external fixator removal was 71 ± 48 days.

All fx healed. Linear ESF applied using minimally invasive techniques with or without intraoperative imaging was an effective treatment for nonarticular tibial fractures.

Question 2

Aikawa Vet Sx 2019

Clinical outcomes of 119 miniature- & toy-breed dogs with 140 distal radial and ulnar fractures repaired with free-form multiplanar type II ESF

• time to fx healed? ESF removed?
• major complications?
• limb function?

Answer 2

All fractures healed, with median time 60 d, and entire ESF was removed, w/ median time of 89 d

Major complications occurred in 4 fractures: premature pin loosening, elbow subluxation, osteomyelitis, & delayed union. NONE had non-union.

All dogs had a successful return to normal limb function at final FU (median 7 mo)