title: Use of IMEX SK-circular external fixator hybrid constructs for fracture stabilization in dogs and cats.
abstract: Complex long-bone fractures with short juxta-articular fracture segments can be difficult to manage. Recently, IMEX Veterinary, Inc., began producing titanium hybrid rods that can be secured to ring components of the IMEX circular external skeletal fixation system to create SK-circular hybrids. In this case series, SK-circular hybrids were used to stabilize long-bone fractures (two femoral, one humeral, and three tibial fractures) with short distal bone segments in three dogs and three cats with body weights ranging from 1.9 to 15 kg (mean, 6.7 kg; median, 5.4 kg). Although three cases required surgical revision, animals ambulated well and all fractures obtained union. Time to radiographic union ranged from 62 to 137 days (mean, 90 days; median, 84 days). The functional outcome was considered excellent in all six cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and the Center for Veterinary Sports Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0126, USA.
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Farese
authors.forename: Daniel D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Kathleen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Gregory M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Krista B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Halling
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D016267:External Fixators / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome