Use of the cobra head bone plate for distal long bone fractures in large animals. A report of four cases.
Four long bone fractures with a short distal fragment were repaired with a cobra head bone plate alone (2 cattle) or in combination with a straight, broad dynamic compression plate (2 horses). Three fractures were of the distal femur (1 horse, 2 cattle) and one was of the distal radius (1 horse). The long-term outcome of the three femoral fractures was soundness in one case and mild lameness in two. Although satisfactory bone healing progressed in the horse with the radial fracture, laminitis in the contralateral forelimb necessitated euthanasia at week 6.
Kirker-Head
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Department of Large Animal Surgery, Tufts University, School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536.
Fackelman
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D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014945:Wound Healing