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Fracture Healing After Stabilization With Intramedullary Xenograft Cortical Bone Pins: A Study in Pigeons
Author(s) -
Wander Kathy W.,
Schwarz Peter D.,
James Susan P.,
Powers Barbara E.,
Taylor Bobbi,
Wimsatt Jeffrey H.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1053/jvet.2000.5608
Subject(s) - intramedullary rod , medicine , bone healing , humerus , cortical bone , kirschner wire , surgery , anatomy , prosthesis
Objective— To investigate the effectiveness of intramedullary xenograft cortical bone pins compared with stainless steel Kirschner wire for the repair of a standardized avian humeral fracture. Study Design— Prospective randomized study. Sample Population— Thirty mature pigeons (Columba livia). Methods— Birds were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Transverse mid‐diaphyseal humeral fractures were created in 1 humerus in each bird. Fractures were stabilized with intramedullary ostrich or canine xenograft cortical bone pins or Kirschner wire. Radiographic, histological, and biomechanical assessments were used to compare fracture healing 6 weeks after fracture stabilization. The contralateral humerus of each bird was used as a control. Results— All fractures healed regardless of intramedullary pin type. There were no statistically significant biomechanical differences among groups or within groups. Xenograft cortical bone pins induced a mononuclear inflammatory reaction that did not impair bone healing. Bones stabilized with intramedullary cortical bone pins had more periosteal callus and inflammation at the fracture site than bones stabilized with stainless steel Kirschner wires. Conclusions— Intramedullary xenograft cortical bone pins, derived from mammalian or avian sources, appear to represent an alternative for the repair of avian humeral fractures. Clinical Relevance— Intramedullary xenograft cortical bone pins are biodegradable and may reduce the need for additional surgery to remove implants after fracture healing.