Treatment of tibial fractures in seven cats using circular external skeletal fixation

Abstract

This study covers the technique of a custom designed circular external fixator (CEF) in tibial fractures in 7 cats. All tibial fractures were surgically treated. The cases were followed-up using radiographs obtained on 25 and 48 days after surgery. Signalment, fracture localization, complications and implant diameter for each cat were noted. Ring diameters were as follows: in 4 tibial fracture cases 45 mm and in 3 tibial fracture cases 55 mm. Complications were observed in 2 cats, both of which had pin tract infection. Fracture cases were evaluated as follows: 5 of the tibial fractures had excellent results and 2 cases had good results. The CEF system was well tolerated by all the cats during the postoperative follow-up period. First use of the treated limb occurred on postoperative 1-3 day in all cases. Pin deformation or CEF breakage and distortion were not observed in any of the cases. The CEF system designed by the authors was suitable for fixation of tibial fractures in cats. Clinical use of CEF system in tibial fractures of cats is found to be useful and its use is highly recommended to our colleagues.