STABILIZATION OF FRACTURES OF LONG BONES IN SMALL DOGS AND CATS WITH A NEW 2.0 MM VETERINARY DYNAMIC COMPRESSION PLATE

In the present study a self developed 2.0 mm veterinary dynamic compre ssion plate (DCP) with 16 holes for small dogs and cats was conceived, tested and clinically proved. Altogether, 77 fractures of long bones in 63 cats and 14 small dogs were treated with this new plate, Reconst ructable comminuted fractures were seen most frequently (36.3 percent - 28/77), This was followed by fractures with three fragments (26 perc ent - 18/77) and not reconstructable comminuted fractures (23.4 percen t - 18/77), In 64.9 per cent the original plate was cut to the require d length, The plate is now put out as 10-, 12-, 14- and 18-hole DCP as a further development. The plate adaptation to the bone was no proble m at all. The therapeutical success could be evaluated in 58.4 per cen t (45/77) of the cases by clinical and radiologic examination. In anot her 28.6 percent (22/77), therapeutical success was controlled by mean s of a questionnaire answered by the owners. 92.5 percent of the contr olled cases (62/67) yielded a good result, In three cases with not rec onstructable comminuted fractures complications were observed.