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Intramedullary interlocking nail stabilisation of 21 humeral fractures in 19 dogs and one cat
Author(s) -
MOSES PA,
LEWIS DD,
LANZ OI,
STUBBS WP,
CROSS AR,
SMITH KR
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2002.tb14781.x
Subject(s) - intramedullary rod , medicine , interlocking , humerus , surgery , nail (fastener) , orthopedic surgery , bone healing , medullary cavity , anatomy , materials science , mechanical engineering , engineering , metallurgy
Objective To assess the suitability of the intramedullary interlocking nail to stabilise humeral diaphyseal fractures in dogs and cats. Method This multi‐centre study retrospectively examined medical records, between June 1994 and May 2001, of 19 dogs and one cat, in which a total of 21 humeral fractures were stabilised with intramedullary interlocking nails. Results Animals ranged in body‐weight from 4 to 97 kg. Eighteen (86%) of the fractures were comminuted. Adjunctive stabilisation was used in twelve (57%) fractures and bone grafts in nine (43%) fractures. A rapid return of function was noted in the majority of animals, with 14 (67%) having good or excellent function within four days of surgery. In two fractures the repair collapsed when a single proximal transcortical screw was placed cranial to the tricipital line of the humerus. This suggests that if a single transcortical screw is placed proximally the screw should be distal or caudal to the tricipital line in order to engage sufficient cortical bone. Eighteen (86%) of the fractures healed when stabilised with intramedullary interlocking nails. Three fractures did not heal. One was in a dog where a pathological fracture was temporarily stabilised with an intramedullary interlocking nail, one in a dog that died of an abdominal crisis three weeks after surgery and one in a dog in which fracture stabilisation collapsed due to incorrect implant selection. Conclusion Intramedullary interlocking nails are well suited to the stabilisation of humeral diaphyseal fractures in dogs and cats.