Bone transport osteogenesis for reconstruction of a bone defect in the tibiotarsus of a yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata).
A yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata) was presented 5 months after a traumatic fracture of its left tibiotarsus. Fixation of the simple, closed, mid-diaphyseal fracture was originally with an intramedullary pin and external coaptation with a modified Robert-Jones bandage. During the subsequent 5 months, the bone became osteopenic, and the middle third of the tibiotarsus exhibited probable avascular necrosis. After various fixation attempts failed, the parrot was fitted with a ring fixator device, and bone transport osteogenesis was attempted. Within 7 weeks, the left tibiotarsus had regrown to full length, but the docking site at the proximal fracture line had not healed. After 2 more surgeries to debride bone ends to stimulate healing, the leg in this parrot became functional. This is the first reported clinical use of bone transport osteogenesis in a pet bird. Materials and techniques were applied successfully to this parrot, which suggests that bone transport osteogenesis deserves further study for the repair of large bone defects in birds.
Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Matthew S
MS
Johnston
Henry P
HP
Thode
Nicole P
NP
Ehrhart
D046708:Amazona / Q000293:injuries*; D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D008297:Male; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000293:injuries*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*