Use of a plate-rod construct and principles of biological osteosynthesis for repair of diaphyseal fractures in dogs and cats: 47 cases (1994-2001).

Objective: To determine outcome for dogs and cats with diaphyseal fractures in which a plate-rod construct was used for fracture repair.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 35 dogs and 12 cats.

Procedures: Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to obtain information concerning signalment, fracture severity, construct design, time to radiographic union, complications, and outcome. Clients were contacted by telephone to obtain information on complications, limb usage, and overall satisfaction with the procedure.

Results: 31 femoral, 9 humeral, and 7 tibial fractures were assessed. Thirteen fractures consisted of 2 fragments, 22 consisted of 3 to 5 fragments, and 12 consisted of > 5 fragments. Forty-six of 47 (98%) fractures reached union. Mean +/- SD times to radiographic union were 7.5 +/- 2.7 weeks for the dogs and 4.8 +/- 1.3 weeks for the cats. There were 4 short-term, minor complications and 15 long-term complications (2 major and 13 minor). Owners of 21 of 30 dogs (70%) and 9 of 12 cats reported that their animals had normal limb function. Twenty-six of 28 dog owners (93%) and 12 of 12 cat owners indicated that they were satisfied with results of the procedure. As surgery time increased, time to union also increased. Time to union for fractures with > 5 fragments was significantly shorter than time to union for fractures with < or = 5 fragments.

Conclusions And Clinical Relevance: Results suggest that plate-rod constructs can successfully be used for repair of diaphyseal fractures of a wide range of severity in dogs and cats.