title: Stabilization of juxta-physeal distal tibial and fibular fractures in a juvenile tiger using a hybrid circular-linear external fixator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report stabilization of closed, comminuted distal metaphyseal transverse fractures of the left tibia and fibula in a tiger using a hybrid circular-linear external skeletal fixator.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Juvenile tiger (15 months, 90 kg).
  
  
  METHODS
  From imaging studies, the tiger had comminuted distal metaphyseal transverse fractures of the left tibia and fibula, with mild caudolateral displacement and moderate compression. Multiple fissures extended from the fractures through the distal metaphyses, extending toward, but not involving the distal tibial and fibular physes. A hybrid circular-linear external skeletal fixator was applied by closed reduction, to stabilize the fractures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fractures healed and the fixator was removed 5 weeks after stabilization. Limb length and alignment were similar to the normal contralateral limb at hospital discharge, 8 weeks after surgery. Two weeks later, the tiger had fractures of the right tibia and fibula and was euthanatized. Necropsy confirmed pathologic fractures ascribed to copper deficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Closed application of the hybrid construct provided sufficient stability to allow this 90 kg tiger's juxta-articular fractures to heal with minimal complications and without disrupting growth from the adjacent physes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0126, USA.
authors.forename: Alastair R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Coomer
authors.forename: Daniel D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wiedner
authors.forename: Ramiro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isaza
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aloisio
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pool
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000172:deficiency; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D046010:Tigers
chemical_list: D003300:Copper