Management of femoral fractures in dogs with unilateral semicircular external skeletal fixator-intramedullary pin tie-in configurations

The aim of the present study is to report the use of semicircular external skeletal fixator-intramedullary pin tie-in configurations for management of femoral fractures in dogs. Twenty dogs (21 femoral fractures) with complete clinical and radiographic records for at least 24 weeks were included in the study. A unilateral, multiplanar, semicircular external skeletal fixator system was used in combination with intramedullary pin. Fracture description, history, frame configuration, complications, limb use, concomitant injury, fixator removal time, and functional outcome were evaluated. All of the fractures with sufficient follow up were healed. Eight dogs started to use the operated limb immediately after recovery from anaesthesia whereas initial limb use was 1 to 7 days in other dogs. Time for removal of the fixator ranged from 36 to 67 days (mean, 50 days). Functional outcome was excellent in 15 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case and poor in 1 case. As a result, it was concluded that semicircular external skeletal fixator - intramedullary pin tie-in configurations can be used as an alternative for the management of the femoral fractures in dogs.