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Randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial of autologous greater omentum free graft versus autogenous cancellous bone graft in radial and ulnar fractures in miniature breed dogs
Author(s) -
Ree Jennifer J.,
Baltzer Wendy I.,
Nemanic Sarah
Publication year - 2018
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 - 10.1111/vsu.12774
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , radiography , cancellous bone , ulna , bone healing
Objective To determine the rate of radiographic healing, complications, vascularization, and bone density after repair of radial and ulnar fractures in dogs <6 kg that were treated with an autogenous cancellous bone graft (BG) or free autologous omentum graft (OG). Study Design Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial with owners/radiologists blinded to treatment. Animals 25 dogs with naturally occurring traumatic radial/ulnar fractures. Methods Fractures underwent plate fixation with OG or BG. Power Doppler ultrasonographic, computed tomographic (CT), and radiographic examinations of the affected antebrachium were performed preoperatively and every 3 weeks postoperatively until healed. Pressure‐sensitive walkway gait analysis and owner and veterinarian assessments were obtained preoperatively (0 weeks) and 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively. Results Owner/veterinarian assessments improved postoperatively but did not differ significantly between groups. The improvement in peak vertical force/vertical impulse was greater in dogs with OG than in those with BG, beginning 3 weeks postoperatively. Radiographic healing occurred earlier in bones treated with OG (median, 9 weeks) than in those treated with BG (12 weeks). Cortical bone density derived from CT of the distal ulna was higher in bones with BG compared with bones with OG. Signal intensity and the number of vessels in the fracture callus declined over time in both groups, according to results of ultrasonography. However, bones retained more vessels and greater signal intensity when treated with OG compared with treatment with BG, according to multiple views at 6 and 9 weeks postoperatively. Conclusion Omental grafting was not associated with major complications, and it accelerated bone healing and return to weight bearing in dogs. Clinical significance Omental grafting should be considered as an adjunct to stabilization of antebrachial fractures in toy and small breed dogs.