Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Humeral condylar fractures and fissures in French bulldogs
By Anderson, Oliver J et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2023·Langford Small Animal Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Humeral condylar fractures and fissures in the French bulldog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A French bulldog with a broken elbow was treated for a humeral condylar fracture, which is a common injury in this breed. The surgery involved using a special screw and wires to stabilize the fracture, but this method was linked to a higher chance of complications. In fact, all major issues observed were in dogs treated with this technique. Additionally, many of these dogs had a related condition called humeral intracondylar fissures, which may make them more prone to fractures. It's suggested that other stabilization methods could be safer for these dogs.
People also search for: French bulldog elbow fracture treatment · humeral condylar fracture in dogs · complications from dog elbow surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the configuration, risk factors, fixation methods and complication rates after repair of humeral condylar fractures (HCF) in French bulldogs, and report the presence of humeral intracondylar fissures (HIF) in this population as a possible predisposing factor. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Forty-four elbows. METHODS: The medical records of dogs referred between January 2012 and December 2021 were searched for French bulldogs presenting with HCF. Signalment, fracture configuration, stabilization method and complication occurrence were obtained. Postoperative radiographs were assessed for implant positioning, and computed tomography (CT) scans were assessed for the presence and size of HIF in the contralateral elbow. RESULTS: Lateral humeral condylar fractures represented 28/44 (63.6%) of HCF in French bulldogs. Repair with a transcondylar screw (TCS) and Kirschner-wire(s) (K-wire) were 7.62 times more likely to result in a major complication (95% CI: 1.43, 21.89; p = .01) compared to other methods. All incidences (7/7) of TCS migration were within the TCS + K-wire group. A HIF was identified in 18/31 (58.1%) dogs. Older animals were not significantly less likely to have a HIF than younger animals (p = .129). CONCLUSIONS: Fracture stabilization with a TCS and K-wire(s) was associated with an increased risk of major complications and migration of the TCS. A HIF was present in the contralateral elbow of over half of the French bulldogs where CT was available. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A HIF may be a predisposing factor of HCF in French bulldogs. Alternative methods of stabilization to a TCS and K-wire(s) should be used to reduce complication risk.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36222446/