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Veterinary surgery : VS2024; 54(1); 98-106; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14152

Use of a new aiming compression device and technique for the repair of navicular bone fractures in horses: A cadaveric study.

Abstract: To assess the use of a newly developed aiming compression device (ACD) for screw insertion in non-fractured navicular bones (NB) in cadavers. Methods: Cadaveric study. Methods: A total of 10 cadaveric front limbs of adult horses. Methods: Placement of a 3.5 mm cortical screw in non-fractured NB under radiographic guidance was performed in 10 cadaver limbs in a standing position. An ACD was used to stabilize the NB and to guide the drilling process. Preparation and surgical time as well as the number of radiographic images were noted. A postoperative scoring system was used to assess screw placement by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and gross examination by two evaluators. Results: The total procedure time was 25-62 min (median 33.5). During the procedure, 11-21 radiographs (median 18.5) were taken. The postoperative gross examination revealed an excellent screw placement in nine NB and poor in one. This could not be reliably assessed with post-procedure CBCT. Conclusions: The described technique achieves an excellent screw placement in 9/10 bones without disrupting the articular or flexural surface of the NB and with no protrusion of the screw head or tip, in a median procedure time of under 35 min. Conclusions: Adequate screw placement is paramount for NB fracture repair. The described approach under radiographic guidance allows adequate screw placement using the ACD to stabilize the NB by lateral to medial compression. This technique facilitates adequate screw placement within the NB without the use of advanced imaging techniques.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2024-08-16 PubMed ID: 39149893PubMed Central: PMC11734874DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14152Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study examines the effectiveness of a new aiming compression device (ACD) for inserting screws in the navicular bones (NB) of horse cadavers. Researchers found that the device successfully achieved excellent screw placement in nine out of ten bones, without disrupting the bone surfaces or leaving screw protrusions. It was also determined that this process could be accomplished within 35 minutes under radiographic guidance.

Methods

  • The research was conducted as a cadaveric study, using a total of 10 front limbs from adult horses.
  • A 3.5 mm cortical screw was placed in non-fractured NB in a standing position, under the guidance of radiographic images.
  • The ACD was applied to stabilize the NB and guide the drilling process for the screw.
  • The time taken for preparation and the surgical procedure, along with the number of radiographic images taken, were recorded.
  • Following the procedure, the placement of the screw was assessed with a postoperative scoring system, which involved examination by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and a gross examination by two evaluators.

Results

  • The procedure using the ACD took between 25 and 62 minutes, with a median time of 33.5 minutes.
  • During the procedure, between 11 and 21 radiographs were taken, with 18.5 as the median number.
  • Analysis of the postoperative scoring revealed that nine of ten NB had excellent screw placement, while one had poor placement. This couldn’t be reliably determined using post-procedure CBCT.

Conclusions

  • The use of the ACD for screw placement in NB fracture repair proved to be successful, with 90% accuracy, in the tested samples.
  • The method, guided by radiographic images, allowed professionals to achieve excellent positioning of the screw without disrupting the bone’s natural structure or leaving the screw tip or head protruding.
  • This technique doesn’t require use of advanced imaging techniques for adequate screw placement, demonstrating a need to investigate the potential benefits of this technique in live equine surgery.

Cite This Article

APA
Pudert T, Fries GF, Lotz H, Röcken M, Cruz AM. (2024). Use of a new aiming compression device and technique for the repair of navicular bone fractures in horses: A cadaveric study. Vet Surg, 54(1), 98-106. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14152

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 1
Pages: 98-106

Researcher Affiliations

Pudert, Tanja
  • Equine Clinic, Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Fries, Giuletta Felicia
  • Equine Clinic, Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Lotz, Hannah
  • Equine Clinic, Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Röcken, Michael
  • Equine Clinic, Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Cruz, Antonio M
  • Equine Clinic, Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / surgery
  • Horses / injuries
  • Bone Screws / veterinary
  • Cadaver
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / veterinary
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / instrumentation
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Tarsal Bones / surgery
  • Tarsal Bones / injuries
  • Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no financial or other conflicts related to the report.

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