BONE-FRACTURE AND SEQUESTRATION AS COMPLICATIONS OF EXTERNAL SKELETALFIXATION

A transverse tibial fracture and bone sequestrum at the pin-bone inter face were diagnosed in a dog treated with external skeletal fixation f or tarsal arthrodesis. The causes of the bone fracture were improper u se of external fixator pins and trauma after the fixator became entang led in a fence. After removal of the original fixator, the tibial frac ture was successfully repaired with an intramedullary pin, a type II e xternal skeletal fixator and an autogenous cancellous bone graft. Bone sequestration and draining sinuses were successfully treated with cur ettage and antimicrobial therapy.