title: Clinical application of an external fixator in the repair of bone fractures in 28 birds.
abstract: The repair of seven tibiotarsal fractures, three humeral fractures, three tarsometatarsal fractures, two femoral fractures and 13 radial and ulnar fractures with a tubular external fixator system was evaluated prospectively in 10 common pigeons (Columba livia), 11 psittacine birds, six birds of prey and one Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildii). The fixations included type 1, type 2 and intramedullary tie-in methods, and the fractures healed in all but three cases. A comparison of the weight of different connecting bars showed that the external fixation system and polymethylmethacrylate are the lightest available systems and that there was no clinically relevant difference between them.
authors.affiliation: Division of Zoo Animals and Exotic Pets, Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hatt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sandmeier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000293:injuries*; D010856:Columbidae; D016267:External Fixators / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011563:Psittaciformes; D020304:Raptors