Biological osteosynthesis versus traditional anatomic reconstruction of 20 long-bone fractures using an interlocking nail: 1994-2001.
OBJECTIVE
To observe differences in surgical and healing times as well as complication rates in dogs with a comminuted long-bone fracture stabilized with an interlocking nail (IN) using either anatomic or biologic repair.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Twenty client-owned dogs with comminuted long-bone fractures.


METHODS
Medical records for dogs with fractures repaired during a 7-year period were reviewed; 20 dogs had repair with an IN nail and radiographic evidence of healing. These 20 dogs where divided into 2 groups, anatomic (11 dogs) and biological (9) repair, for statistical evaluation. Surgical and healing time and complication rates were compared between groups.


RESULTS
Median surgical times were: anatomic (95 minutes) and biologic (110 minutes; P=.06). Median healing times were anatomic (8 weeks) and biologic (6 weeks; P=.04). No statistical differences were observed in complication rates (the likelihood that a case required a second surgery [P=.58], the likelihood of a complication that was managed non-surgically [P=.27]). Use of a bone graft did not shorten healing times (P=.55).


CONCLUSIONS
Biological osteosynthesis provides clinical advantages over anatomic reconstruction with respect to a reduction in surgical and healing time without increasing complication rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Highly comminuted long-bone fractures can be successfully repaired using an IN without reconstructing the fracture fragments in dogs.
Horstman
Christopher L
CL
Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. horstman@cvm.msstate.edu
Beale
Brian S
BS
Conzemius
Michael G
MG
Evans R
Rich
R
D000818:Animals; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000662:veterinary*; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome