A REVIEW OF 116 CLINICAL CASES TREATED WITH EXTERNAL FIXATORS

One hundred and sixteen clinical cases (113 dogs) in which the externa l skeletal fixation was applied as the primary method of stabilization were reviewed. The 116 clinical cases were divided into the following groups: open fractures (41 cases); gunshot fractures (8 cases), commi nuted fractures (11 cases); fractures affecting immature animals (11 c ases); trans-articular application of external fixators (16 cases); co rrective osteotomies (4 cases) and ''simple'' fractures (25 cases). Hi story and signs of the animal (breed, age and weight), location and tr eatment of the fracture, healing time and functional recovery were eva luated in each case and discussed for every group. The mean healing ti me in the different groups ranged from 4.6 wits (immature animal's fra ctures) to 13 wks (gunshot fractures). With reference to the functiona l recovery, in 14 cases (12.1%) the results were poor, in 57 cases (49 .1%) the results were good and in 45 cases (38.3%) the results were ex cellent. The main complications observed were delayed union, non-union and osteomyelitis.