Epoxy-Pin External Skeletal Fixation for Management of Open Bone Fractures in Calves and Foals: A Review of 32 Cases.

The article reviews a study that explored the effectiveness of using an epoxy-pin external skeletal fixation for the treatment of open fractures in calves and foals. The researchers found that the method provided stable fixation and boosted the healing process in the treated animals.

Study Methodology

• The research was retrospective, targeted at 28 calves and four foals with open fractures located distal to the stifle or elbow. The animals weighed between 45-105kg.
• The fixation technique incorporated 2.0-3.0-mm Kirschner wires or pins which were crossed at angles between 60-90°. The pins were fixed at a minimum of two locations in both the proximal and distal bone fragments according to each case’s demands.
• The pins situated on the same plane were bent approximately 2 cm from the skin towards the fracture site or joint to form a temporary scaffold. The screw scaffold was built using an adhesive tape and additional pins if necessary.
• A mixture of epoxy putty was then applied along the pin scaffold before it was left to set for 45 to 60 minutes forming epoxy columns of 20-25mm diameter.
• The recovery process was tracked through various clinical and radiographic observations made at regular intervals.

Study Results

• The epoxy-pin fixation technique proved easy to apply and provided stable bone fixation, encouraging early weight-bearing and fracture healing observed within 45 to 60 days in more than half of the cases (17 out of 32).
• The functional recovery post the fixation was good to very good in 14 animals and satisfactory in nine cases by 12 months after the removal of the fixator.

Conclusion

• The multiplanar epoxy-pin external skeletal fixation showed potential in providing stable fixation of unstable open fractures in calves and foals distal to the stifle or elbow joint.
• It was concluded that this technique could serve as an effective treatment for a variety of fractures, especially in animals that weigh up to approximately 100kg. It was particularly useful in treating open infected fractures of the lower limb, which are typically tough to manage using conventional techniques.