title: Distal Normograde Intramedullary Pin and Locking Plate Placement in the Canine Humerus: A Cadaveric Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify a repeatable anatomic landmark for pin insertion and to describe the technique for placement of a distal normograde intramedullary (IM) pin of approximately 35% of the IM diameter using this approach combined with a locking compression plate (LCP) on the medial aspect of the canine humerus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex vivo anatomic study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Canine cadavers (n=10 Greyhounds).
  
  
  METHODS
  An anatomic landmark for pin insertion was identified based on three-dimensional reconstructions of previous elbow computed tomography studies and cadaveric dissection of the medial aspect of the humeral condyle. Bilateral distal normograde IM pin and LCP placement were performed and confirmed radiographically and by disarticulation and sagittal sectioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The anatomic landmark for pin insertion was consistently identified in each specimen using the technique described. Distal normograde insertion of a 3.5 mm IM pin was possible in Greyhound cadaveric humeri at the described location in conjunction with a 3.5 mm LCP with fixed angle, locked screws. A monocortical locking screw was required to avoid interference with the IM pin in 28 of 60 of the 3 proximal screw holes. No pin interference was encountered in any of the distal screw holes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anatomic landmark and technique described in our study enabled repeatable successful placement of a distal normograde IM pin of approximately 35% of the IM diameter combined with an LCP on the medial aspect of the canine humerus. This technique may be useful for locking plate-rod fixation of distal humeral diaphyseal fractures.
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. timpearson05@hotmail.com.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Pearson
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Glyde
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors: Giselle
authors: G
authors: Hosgood
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors: Lucas
authors: L
authors: Beierer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000662:veterinary*; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D002102:Cadaver; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D006811:Humerus / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary