Treatment of Long Bone Fractures in Calves with Ilizarov External Fixator.

In this study, the advantages and disadvantages of Ilizarov external fixator in the treatment of long bone fractures in calves were investigated. For this purpose, 26 calves of different breeds, ages and genders, having metacarpal (n = 12), metatarsal (n = 5) and antebrachial (n = 9) fractures underwent surgery under general anaesthesia. Frames, which were prepared before surgery in accordance with the radiographic findings, were applied under open reduction in 18 cases, and under closed reduction in eight cases. In the postoperative period, all calves except one started to bear some weigh on the injured limb on the first day, while the remaining calf did the same on the second day. The consolidation started in the first 2 weeks for 24 of the calves and was completed by the day 55. In the two remaining cases, it started in the third week and was completed on day 71 and day 90, respectively.The soft tissue wounds were completely healed in all calves and no complications occurred. In five calves that were not kept in our clinic pin tract infections formed. They were controlled rapidly, and there was no change in the fracture reduction or healing duration.In conclusion, in our study, the Ilizarov external fixator system was applied to long bone fractures in cattle calves, in cases where the fragments were not large enough to apply pins and plates, and which became open and infected after defective bandage practices or unsuitable treatment. Fractures completely healed in all cases, without any complications. These results show that many of the long bone fractures experienced by calves, that were considered for amputation due to the anticipated inability to treat them successfully, could be treated with the use of the Ilizarov system.

Detailed preoperative planning for fracture treatment with Ilizarov method in three dogs.

The purpose of this study is to present preoperative planning with consideration of the anatomical variations of different dog breeds, gross anatomy, preoperative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) images, ring number, ring type and ring levels, rod positions and rod number for fracture treatment using the Ilizarov method in three dogs. In all cases, preoperative radiographs of affected limb and contralateral limb, intact extremity's CT views and anatomical atlases were used for preoperative frame planning. The frame is assembled preoperatively, rehearsed and then it is applied. Preoperative radiographs and clinical findings of affected limbs are beneficial for preoperative frame planning, whilst CT views are not as they do not provide any different vision of anatomical structures for all cases. Other colleagues' and our anatomical atlases, including cross-sectional views of limbs, are satisfactory for preoperative planning. In addition, functional and cosmetical results in all three cases were determined to be very good.

Treatment of segmental tibial defects using acute bone shortening followed by gradual lengthening with circular external fixator.

The aim of this study was to clinically and radiographically evaluate acute bone shortening followed by gradual lengthening in the treatment of large segmental tibia defects induced in seven clinically normal dogs. A circular external fixator was assembled with one proximal 5/8-circle ring, one middle ring and one distal ring connected with three rods. Thirty per cent of the tibia and fibula were removed in the middle and distal parts of the diaphyses, between the middle and distal rings. Acute bone shortening with compression of proximal and distal segments was performed. A subperiosteal osteotomy was performed between the half-ring and middle ring. Bone distraction started 7 days after surgery; after lengthening, the apparatus was left in place for 14 weeks for consolidation of regenerated bone. The frame was removed at the end of this period, and the dogs observed for four more weeks. Functional results were considered excellent in two, good in three and fair in the other two dogs. Bone regeneration within the distraction gap was obtained 14 weeks after neutral fixation period. We concluded that acute bone shortening followed by gradual lengthening by Ilizarov method can be used to treat extensive tibial defects in dogs, although it presents limb temporary abnormal limb shape and unequal length as early disadvantages.

Uso do transporte ósseo no tratamento de perda óssea segmentar extensa da tíbia. Estudo experimental em cães / Use of bone transport to treat tibial large segmental defects. Experimental study in dogs

Avaliou-se a técnica de transporte ósseo realizada com fixador externo de Ilizarov no tratamento de defeito ósseo segmentar extenso promovido na tíbia de sete cães. Após aplicação de montagem constituída de um semi-anel proximal, um anel médio e outro distal, ligados entre si por meio de hastes rosqueadas, foi excisado um segmento da diáfise média distal da tíbia e fíbula direitas de 30 por cento do comprimento ósseo. A reconstrução do defeito foi realizada por transporte de um segmento ósseo obtido por osteotomia subperiosteal da parte proximal da tíbia, entre o semi-anel proximal e o anel médio. O período de latência foi de seis dias e o ritmo do transporte foi de 0,5mm a cada 12 horas. Na área de acoplamento foi aplicada compressão. O fixador permaneceu em fase neutra por 14 semanas e, após a remoção do aparelho, os animais foram observados por mais quatro semanas. O resultado funcional foi considerado excelente em um animal, bom em um, satisfatório em três e deficiente nos outros dois. O transporte ósseo permitiu a reparação de falhas ósseas segmentares extensas, porém pode apresentar dificuldades no direcionamento do segmento ósseo transportado e de sua consolidação na área de acoplagem.

Large segmental radius and ulna defect treated by bone transportation with the Ilizarov technique.

An 8-year-old male Boxer with a severely contaminated open fracture of the left radius and ulna fracture, produced by a helicopter propeller, was treated using bone transport by the Ilizarov method. Extensive diaphyseal bone loss and soft-tissue vascular damage were present. The radius and ulna were stabilised with an Ilizarov ring external fixator. The bone defect was partially shortened and restored by gradual transport of a bone segment created from proximal segments of the radius and ulna. The external fixator was removed 4 fi months after the beginning of the latency period, due to instability caused by osteolysis around the wires. A cast was placed for 3 weeks. Although the bone transport had resulted in formation of approximately 4 cm of bone, the antebrachium showed approximately 50% shortening when compared to the contralateral limb. The infection was eradicated, and the dog was able to bear weight on the operated limb when walking.

Acute shortening and subsequent lengthening of the radius and ulna for the treatment of an infected nonunion in a dog.

A 3-year-old, male crossbred dog with osteomyelitis of the radius and ulna was treated using Ilizarov's method. Two centimeters of infected bone was resected, then acute bone shortening and subsequent lengthening of a healthy bone site were performed. The infection was eradicated, but a residual leg-length discrepancy was present.

Fracture treatment with circular external fixation.

Circular external skeletal fixation (CEF) has been used in recent years to treat acute and chronic fractures and bone deformities, to stabilize joints while maintaining range of motion, and to perform arthrodeses and limb-sparing in dogs. Dr. Ilizarov defined the general principles and methods of CEF. This article reviews these principles. It also describes the indications, preoperative planning, surgical placement, postoperative management, clinical results, and complications of CEF used to treat fractures in dogs.

Distraction osteogenesis.

Distraction osteogenesis and the use of circular external skeletal fixation has increased the capacity of veterinary surgeons to manage difficult orthopedic conditions including limb-length discrepancies, angular deformity, distal and severely comminuted fractures, and bone defects. This article discusses the historical developments of the Ilizarov method of distraction osteogenesis in veterinary surgery, circular external skeletal instrumentation, and the biological principles. There is also discussion of use of this method for correction of angular deformity and bone transport and complications associated with this technique.

Stabilisation of a mandibular fracture in a cow by means of a pinless external fixator.

A four months pregnant, four-year-old Brown Swiss cow with mandibular fractures of the right horizontal ramus and the symphysis was treated surgically with a new pinless external fixator. Healing was complicated by the sequestration of bone at the fracture site. After the sequestrum had been removed a radiographic examination revealed that the fracture had healed completely.