title: Radius and ulna fracture repair with the IMEX miniature circular external skeletal fixation system in 37 small and toy breed dogs: A retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine outcome and prognostic factors after radius and ulna fracture repair with a modified IMEX miniature circular external skeletal fixation (MCESF) in small and toy breed dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven young small and toy breed dogs with 41 radial and ulnar fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of radial and ulnar fractures repaired with a modified IMEX MCESF were reviewed. Constructs included 3-4 complete rings, 2 threaded rods, 4 mm-diameter nuts and 6-8 transfixation wires. MCESF configuration, type of fracture reduction, dynamization of the apparatus, inclusion of a dowel pin, and implantation of allograft were recorded. Outcome measures included complications, limb alignment, time to clinical union, and functional outcomes, scored as excellent, good, fair, or poor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiographic union was achieved in 40/41 fractures. Fractures reached bony union within 33-84 days after repair. Time to union was not influenced by the type of fracture reduction (P = .11), use of a dowel pin (P = .099), or implantation of an allograft (P = .45). Fracture dynamization delayed radiographic union (P = .0005). At implant removal, mean frontal (FPA) and mean sagittal plane alignments (SPA) were 7.9° ± 6.5° and 7.5° ± 5.8°, respectively. Limb alignment did not differ between radiographs obtained immediately after surgery and those obtained at time of radiographic union in the frontal (P = .062) or sagittal (P = .14) planes. Ninety-five percent of cases had good-to-excellent outcomes, based on return to function at final re-evaluations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This modified IMEX MCESF construct provided an effective alternative to treat young small and toy breed dogs with radius and ulna fractures.
authors.affiliation: VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital, Cerritos, California, 90703.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bierens
authors.affiliation: LeadER Animal Specialty Hospital, Department of Surgery, Cooper City, Florida, 33024.
authors.forename: Marcos D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Unis
authors.affiliation: Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital, Department of Surgery, Irvine, California, 92614.
authors.forename: Sady Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, Davis, California, 95616.
authors.forename: Philip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine-Small Animal Surgery Department, Washington State University, 205 Ott Road, Pullman, Washington, 99164.
authors.forename: Tina J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.affiliation: VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital-Surgery Department, 1900 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90025.
authors.forename: Maureen G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D020878:Device Removal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D008297:Male; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*