• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.187-194
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• 2020

Two small-breed dogs and two cats, with an average body weight of 4.88 kg (range: 4.3-5.5 kg), suffered hindlimb lameness due to luxation with or without fractures of the tarsocrural joint. These patients underwent tarsocrural arthrodesis with epoxy putty external skeletal fixator. The animals' skins were incised minimally, and the articular cartilage of the tarsocrural joint was removed, followed by autogenous cancellous bone grafting. Epoxy putty and positive Centerface®, pins with diameters 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm, were used for connecting bar and as a full pin fixation, respectively. All the patients regained the ability to bear weight on the affected limb within 3-7 days and resumed a normal gait within 9-15 weeks. The external skeletal fixator frame was removed within 13-17 weeks without major complications. Tarsocrural arthrodesis using epoxy putty external skeletal fixator resulted in excellent outcomes without severe postoperative complications in this study. Epoxy putty external skeletal fixator can be a valuable surgical option for tarsocrural arthrodesis in patients weighing less than 5.5 kg.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.134-137
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• 2003

A 5-year-old, male mixed breed dog was presented to Gyeongsang National University Animal Hospital for bilateral mandibular open fracture by bite. The dog had loss of the teeth and injury of the oral mucosa. Radio-graphic and blood examinations were conducted. Fracture lines were observed between first premolar and second premolar, but temporomandibular luxation was not observed on radiographs. In serum analysis, elevated levels of CPK and LDH were found. The dog was anesthetized and prepared for aseptic surgery. Acrylic external skeletal fixator with Kirschiner wire was applied. Pin loosening and malalignment of the right fracture line was observed at 7 weeks after surgery. We applied Kirschner-Ehmer fixator and half pins during the second surgical procedure. At 4 weeks after a second surgical procedure, the fixator and pins were removed from mandible. The fractures were healed with no complications.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.198-201
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• 2012

A one-month-old, male Hanwoo calf was presented to Chonbuk Animal Medical Center with non-weight bearing lameness on its right hindlimb. The radiograph and CT scan showed a Salter-Harris III fracture at the distal tibia. Following open reduction, the fracture was stabilized by cross-pins. A temporal external skeletal fixator was used as an additional support for 5 weeks. 5 weeks after surgery, bone fracture had successfully healed with no complication. At 2 years after surgery, the calf could walk almost normally although intermittent weight-bearing lameness after active exercise. This is a rare case that the combined use of temporal external fixation and cross-pins fixation was sufficiently effective for treating a distal tibial physeal fracture in a calf.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.291-299
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• 2006

During long bone lengthening, there are many disadvantages including axial deviation, malalignment and re-fracture which are commonly encountered inspite of its proven abilities. To study the effects of intramedullary K-wire application on the lengthening of long bone, ten skeletally mature mongrel dogs were separated into two groups(Group I, II). Right femurs of group I(5 dogs) were fixed with only monolateral external fixator after subperiosteal osteotomy. Right femurs of group II(5 dogs) were fixed with mono lateral external fixator and intramedullary K-wire after subperiosteal osteotomy. Lengthening was started at 7 days after the surgery with the rate of 0.5 mm per day for 5 weeks and the dogs were sacrificed after 15 weeks postoperatively to examine histologic differences and evaluate bone mineral density. Radiographic examination at an interval of two weeks was done to evaluate the type of callus formed and to analyze complications including instability of external skeletal fixation and axial deviation. Bone mineral density at the lengthened area and contralateral nonlengthened area were measured using quantitative computerized tomography. Histological examination of regenerated bone was performed using Masson's trichrome stain method. The radiographs demonstrated poor callus formation, higher incidence of axial deviation and screw loosening in the group I compared to the group II. The bone mineral density at the lengthened area in the group II was higher than that of the group I(P<0.05). Histological examination showed that the new bone trabeculae in the group II were greater than that of the group I. In conclusion, the combination of monolateral external fixator and intramedullary K-wire can prevent pin loosening, axial deviation and reduce healing period in dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.631-635
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• 2007

Luxation of the hip is the most common luxation seen in small animals. Luxations are classified by the direction in which the femoral head lies in relation to the acetabulum and craniodorsal luxations are the most common type. Recommendations for treatment are based on the presence of preexisting disease, the type and duration of luxation and severity of concurrent injuries. In this study modified external skeletal fixation was used for craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in 5 dogs. Luxated head Joint was reduced and fixator pins were applied into the greater trochanter, the middle point of iliac body and the lateral surface of sacroiliac joint in a closed fashion. Reduction was successful in 4 of the 5 operated limbs. Complications noted in this study included pin tract drainage, pin loosening and secondary fracture at the pin insertion site.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.502-505
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• 2012

An 8-month-old, 3.5 kg intact female Toy Poodle was presented for non-weight-bearing lameness on left hindlimb. In radiological testing, left proximal tibal type II Salter-Harris physeal fracture and fibular fracture were seen. Following open reduction, the fracture was stabilized with cross-pins, tension band wires, and a hinged transarticular external skeletal fixator (HTAESF). The range of the HTAESF was increased to $25^{\circ}$ at 7 days postsurgery and to $70^{\circ}$ at 14 days post-surgery. The HTAESF was removed 3 weeks after surgery. At 6 weeks post-surgery, the fracture was successfully healed with no complications and the patient recovered a normal gait. Seven months post-surgery, the patient had a normal gait and a normal stifle joint range of motion compared to the contralateral normal limb. This is a case in which the combined use of cross-pins, tension band wires, and HTAESF was successful for treatment of a proximal tibial physeal fracture in a dog. It is thought that these methods are beneficial for stability of fracture site and recover of joint's normal range of motion through early joint movement.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.523-526
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• 2014

Three dogs were admitted for repair of bone fracture. Case 1 (Maltese, 1.8 kg, intact female, 5-month-old) and case 2 (poodle, 3.0 kg, intact female, 6-month-old) had non-weight bearing lameness in the left pelvic limb, and case 3 (mixed, 3.3 kg, intact female, age unknown) had non-weight-bearing lameness in the left thoracic limb. On orthopedic examination, there was pain, crepitus, palpable instability and substantial soft tissue swelling on the affected side. No neurological deficits were identified. Radiographs revealed left proximal metaphyseal tibial and fibular fractures in cases 1 and 2, and left proximal metaphyseal radial and ulnar fractures in case 3. All cases had closed long-bone fractures with short juxta-articular fracture segments. Under fluoroscopic guidance, proper placement of the ring fixation elements was confirmed during surgery. Two or three rings were used to stabilize fractures with traditional circular external skeletal fixators (CESF). Postoperative radiographs showed acceptable alignment and apposition of the previously identified fracture. Time to radiographic union ranged from 5 to 14 weeks and there were no signs of implant failure or pin tract infection. Functional outcomes were excellent in all cases. CESF can be successfully used to reduce short juxta-articular fractures in which bone plates or external skeletal fixation cannot be applied.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.259-262
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• 2012

A seven-year-old Yorkshire terrier 2.1 kg was admitted with a 2 months history of sever bilateral forelimb lameness and joint instability. Examination and radiographs revealed caudal luxation of bilateral antebrachiocarpal joint. Luxation of bilateral antebrachiocarpal (ABC) joint in a toy breed dog was treated with pancarpal arthrodesis. Modified external skeletal fixator (ESF) (type IIb) with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was utilized in this case. Porcine cancellous bone graft (PCBG) was inserted to fill the joint space in carpus. The clinical and radiographic assessments of joint after the surgical procedure proved that PCBG can be used a promising alternative to Autogenous cancellous bone graft (ACBG).

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.17.1-17.9
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• 2023

To our knowledge, this is the first case of concurrent diaphyseal left coracoid and left femoral fractures in a Eurasian eagle owl and its post-release survival in Korea. The femur was surgically repaired using an external skeletal fixator-intramedullary (IM) pin tie-in method, and the coracoid was repaired solely with an IM pin on day 6 after femur surgery. The eagle owl underwent a gradual rehabilitation process. The bird was successfully rehabilitated and released 101 d after initial presentation. The bird was monitored using a wildlife tracking device and was confirmed to have survived for over 5 mon in the wild.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate and analyze fractures types in wild mammals in Korea. Wild mammals treated at 3 wildlife centers in Korea were included. Of the 63 cases included in this study, water deer was the most common species encountered with fractures. We determined 85 different fracture sites, with maximum lumber vertebral fractures followed by femoral, tibial and pelvic fractures. External skeletal fixator (ESF)-intramedullary (IM) pin (IM+ESF tie-in fixation) was the most common method applied for the surgical treatment of mammals. Lumbar vertebrae and femur were the most common bones involved. The findings of this study are expected to provide information for veterinarians regarding the frequency and characteristics of fractures in wild mammals and serve as a basic database for the types and outcomes of fractures in wild mammals.