title: Clinical evaluation of the CRIF 4.5/5.5 system for long-bone fracture repair in cattle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report clinical evaluation of the clamp rod internal fixator 4.5/5.5 (CRIF 4.5/5.5) in bovine long-bone fracture repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cattle (n=22) with long-bone fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records for cattle with long-bone fractures repaired between 1999 and 2004 with CRIF 4.5/5.5 were reviewed. Quality of fracture repair, fracture healing, and clinical outcome were investigated by means of clinical examination, medical records, radiographs, and telephone questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful long-term outcome was achieved in 18 cattle (82%); 4 were euthanatized 2-14 days postoperatively because of fracture breakdowns. Two cattle had movement of clamps on the rod. Moderate to severe callus formation was evident in 11 cattle 6 months postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Movement of clamps on the rod was recognized as implant failure unique to the CRIF. This occurred in cattle with poor fracture stability because of an extensive cortical defect. The CRIF system may not be ideal to treat metacarpal/metatarsal fractures because its voluminous size makes skin closure difficult, thereby increasing the risk of postoperative infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRIF cannot be recommended for repair of complicated long-bone fractures in cattle.
authors.affiliation: Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gamper
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nuss
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohlerth
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fürst
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Joerg A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Auer
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lischer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000662:veterinary; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000662:veterinary; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000293:injuries; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000662:veterinary; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000662:veterinary