Evaluation of aluminium based circular external skeletal fixator for long bone fracture fixation in dogs
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Authors
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R.K. Sharma
Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner- 334001(Rajasthan)
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M.P. Sharma
Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner- 334001(Rajasthan)
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A.K. Bishnoi
Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner- 334001(Rajasthan)
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P. Bishnoi
Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner- 334001(Rajasthan)
Keywords:
Aluminium rings, Circular External Skeletal Fixator, Circular rings, Dog, Fracture fixation, Radius-Ulna, TibiaAbstract
The present study was conducted on nine clinical cases of radius-ulna (n=3) or tibial (n=6) fractures (either closed or open) in dogs of either sex, weighing 5-21 kg. The fracture was reduced and stabilized by transfixation of pins using aluminium based ring fixator. The main component of fixator, the aluminium rings, was designed locally using 4 mm aluminium sheets. The complete assembly was prepared with aluminium rings (n=2/3) weighing 21.22g each, 4.5 mm diameter with standard 75 mm length iron based connecting rods (n=4) weighing 7.56 g each and stainless steel transcortical pins (n=4/6). Specialised wire fixation bolt (iron based, weighing 5.5 g) was designed for pin-ring articulation. The parameters studied during the postoperative period were weight bearing on the operated limb, stability of the assembly, pin tract discharge, pin loosening, bending/breakage of any fixator component, infection/osteolysis and radiographic healing. Based on the results, it was concluded that aluminium based circular ESF was a feasible and cost-effective technique, and was well tolerated by dogs leading to complete fracture healing.
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