title: Complex and open fractures: a straightforward approach to management in the cat.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cats often present with traumatic injuries of the limbs, including complex and open fractures, frequently as a result of road traffic accidents. On initial assessment, complex and open fractures may appear to require expertise beyond the experience of the general practitioner and, in some cases, referral to a specialist may be indicated or amputation should be considered.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Many cases, however, can be managed using straightforward principles. This review describes a logical and practical approach to treating such injuries. It discusses general principles of fracture management, highlights the treatment of open fractures, and describes the use of external skeletal fixation for stabilisation of both open and complex fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Most fractures can be stabilised using equipment and expertise available in general practice if the basic principles of fracture fixation are understood and rigorously applied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Many textbooks and journal articles have been published on the management of fractures in companion animals, presenting case studies, case series and original biomechanical research. The simple strategy for managing complex injuries that is provided in this review is based on the published literature and the author's clinical experience.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK. Sandra.Corr@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries*; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic