Long-term results of bone graft and fixation for dog and cat fractures

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the short- and long-term outcomes and complications in dogs and cats undergoing surgical treatment for viable oligotrophic and nonviable atrophic non-unions using circular external skeletal fixation and autologous corticocancellous bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case series, the medical records and radiographs of all dogs and cats with radius/ulna and tibia/fibula viable oligotrophic and nonviable atrophic non-unions treated with corticocancellous bone graft and circular external skeletal fixation at two referral veterinary hospitals between 2014 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The long-term follow-up was 1&#x2009;year or greater. RESULTS: Thirteen dogs and six cats with 19 non-union fractures met the inclusion criteria for the study. Eighteen non-union fractures (94.7%) healed and one did not. Five patients (26%) had minor perioperative period complications (<3&#x2009;months). The patient that did not achieve bone union underwent revision surgery with internal fixation (plate and screws) and autologous cancellous bone graft. Fifteen (78.9%) cases returned to full function and three (15.8%) cases returned to acceptable function in the long-term follow-up period. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of circular external skeletal fixation associated with autologous corticocancellous bone graft for the treatment of radius/ulna and tibia/fibula atrophic/oligotrophic non-union fractures in dogs and cats was considered successful in the majority of patients and was free of major or catastrophic complications.