title: Fragment reconstruction and bone plate fixation versus bridging plate fixation for treating highly comminuted femoral fractures in dogs: 35 cases (1987-1997).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare fragment reconstruction and bone plate fixation versus bridging plate fixation for treating highly comminuted (> 4 fragments) femoral fractures in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  35 dogs with highly comminuted fractures of the femur.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of all dogs included in this study were reviewed. Dogs had been treated with fragment reconstruction and bone plate application (n = 20) or major fragment alignment and bridging plate fixation (15). Postoperative and follow-up radiographs were evaluated. Operating and hospitalization times, bone alignment, bone healing, and complications were considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in hospitalization times, limb alignment, and complications between dogs with fractures treated with fragment reconstruction and dogs with fractures treated with bridging plate fixation. Dogs with fractures treated with bridging plate fixation had shorter operative times and faster times to radiographic evidence of bone healing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bridging plate fixation is quicker to perform and results in faster healing than fragment reconstruction and bone plate fixation when used to treat comminuted femoral fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61802, USA.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome