MANAGING EQUINE FRACTURES WITH EXTERNAL SKELETAL FIXATION

External skeletal fixation is a viable mechanism for stabilizing equin e fractures that are not amenable to open reduction and internal fixat ion or external coaptation. External skeletal fixation minimizes disru ption of the blood supply at the fracture site and decreases the risk of bacterial contamination. Patients with fractures that are infected or open are potential candidates for external skeletal fixation becaus e the technique precludes the need for implants (which can harbor infe ction) at the fracture site. This method of fracture management is sub ject to complications, including pin loosening and catastrophic failur e of the bone through the bone-pin interface. Application of an extern al skeletal fixator requires adherence to techniques that will minimiz e damage to the bone-pin interface and maximize the stability of the b one-fixator unit. The transfixation cast and the lower-limb external s keletal fixator are capable of withstanding the forces generated by we ight bearing and have been used successfully for fracture repair in ad ult horses. A satisfactory outcome is facilitated by proper case selec tion and careful application of the device.