title: Minimally invasive metatarsal fracture repair with locking plates in a guanaco (Lama guanicoe).
abstract: An open grade I transverse diaphyseal fracture of the metatarsal bone in a 5-yr-old female guanaco (Lama guanicoe) was successfully stabilized with a locking plate system, which is a minimally invasive approach. A conical coupling screw-plate locking system with 3.0-mm-thick plates and 3.5-mm locking head screws was applied, after closed and indirect reduction of the bone segments, with an orthogonal configuration of the plates. The implants were protected postoperatively with a splinted bandage. The fracture healed without complications, the limb function was successfully recovered, and no major complications were observed at the 2-yr follow-up. The surgical procedure was carried out with biologic internal fixation supports and an adequate functional union within a time period similar to that reported for this species following other fracture fixation methods. This case highlights the potential benefit of combining minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and plate-locking systems for fracture repair in camelids.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Bertuglia
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Piga
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Bullone
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Piras
authors: Mitzy Mauthe
authors: MM
authors: von Degerfeld
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D002161:Camelids, New World; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery