Effects of fracture stabilization by internal fixation. I. A haemodynamic and blood gas evaluation of the systemic and regional changes.
The effect of internal stabilization of a fracture of the femur on arterial blood oxygen levels, limb flow and oxygen consumption was measured in 24 dogs. Those with stabilized fractures bore weight on their limbs and were much more active. Without fracture stabilization the arterial oxygen tension fell by 10 per cent. With internal fixation this hypoxia did not develop. In fact, there was a 10 per cent increase beginning in the third week. Stabilization of the fracture gave a persistent increase in limb blood flow, but without stabilization this increase was transient and followed by a significant decrease. Over the 7-week observation period, the total oxygen consumption of the uninjured limbs in the stabilized group was twice that in the unstabilized group, an indication of their functional activity. Also with stabilization, the oxygen consumption of the uninjured limb was not significantly different from the opposite limb, whereas without stabilization the consumption was 32 per cent greater, an indication of the energy cost of countering instability.
D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates; D004285:Dogs; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010313:Partial Pressure; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
D010100:Oxygen