The aims of this study were to research the possibility of using the Orthofix type dynamic axial external fixator (OTDAEF) in dogs as in humans so as to establish fixator's suitability for clinical use.

This study is performed on 15 cases which were brought to Clinic of Small Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Uludag University.

According to preoperative radiographs, external fixator and Schanz screws were chosen for each case. Under general anesthesia which is effective for a short period, fixator and Schanz screws were placed antero-medially on tibia. Clinical and radiographical examinations continued till external fixators were removed. Removing of external fixators were performed as planned in three way; on the 45^th day in the first group (cases 2, 3, 5, 7, 9), on the 60^th day in the second group (cases 1, 4, 6, 8, 10) and on the 75^th day in the third group (cases 11, 12, 13, 14, 15).

According to the Modified Hannover Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Small Animal Evaluation Scale, the results were perfect in 8 cases (53.3%), good in 4 cases (26.7%), fair in 1 case (6.7%) and bad in 2 cases (13.3%).

As a result, it can be mentioned that; application of external fixator causes a very limited trauma only just at the entrance of the screw, the operation takes a shorter time but needs a more extensive postoperative care to be performed by owner to ensure pin tracts are kept clean and the greater number recheck examinations required to be performed by the veterinarian. In closed fractures and in non-complex open fractures (first group) fracture healing occurs in a 45 days period. This period elongated to 60 days period (second group) in politravmatized open fractures and to 75 days period in complicated fractures (third group). The animals carried the fixator easily and so used their related extremities in a shorter time. Some complications occurred like pin tract infection, nonunion, loosening of fixator parts. We determined that in the fractures of tibia which are poor from muscles and which the closed reduction is performed easily, external fixation method that is performed with OTDAEF is a good technique for the clinical use only if a careful pin tract management is provided. We also propose studies by using this technique for the other long bones of the extremities.

References

1.  Aarari J. Bebchuk T, Seguin B, Lincoln J. 1997: Closed repair of tibial and radial fractures with external skeletal fixation. The Compendium, 18:6, 651-665.

2.  Hulsed, Johnson Al., 1997: Fundamentals of Orthopedic Surgery and Fracture Management. Editor: FOSSUM TW. Small Animal Surgery, 2nd edition, Mosby, Missouri, page 735-742, 868-882.

3.  De Bastiani G, Aldegheri R, Renzi Brivio L., 1984: The treatment of fractures with dynamic axial fixator. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 66-B,(4), 538-545.