Fracture healing after stabilization with intramedullary xenograft cortical bone pins: A study in pigeons

Objective-To investigate the effectiveness of intramedullary xenograft cort ical bone pins compared with stainless steel Kirschner wire fur the repair of a standardized avian humeral fracture. Study Design-Prospective randomized study. Sample Population-Thirty mature pigeons (Columba livia). Methods-Birds were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Transverse mid-diaphyseal humeral fractures were created in 1 humerus in each bird. Fractures were s tabilized with intramedullary ostrich or canine xenograft cortical bone pin s or Kirschner wire, Radiographic. histological, and biomechanical assessme nts were used to compare fracture healing 6 weeks after fracture stabilizat ion. The contralateral humerus of each bird was used as a control. Results-All fractures healed regardless of intramedullary pin type. There w ere no statistically significant biomechanical differences among groups or within groups. Xenograft cortical bone pins induced a mononuclear inflammat ory reaction that did not impair bone healing. Bones stabilized with intram edullary cortical bone pins had more periosteal callus and inflammation at the fracture site than hones stabilized with stainless steel Kirschner wire s. Conclusions-Intramedullary xenograft cortical bone pins, derived from mamma lian or avian sources, appear to represent an alternative for the repair of avian humeral fractures. Clinical Relevance-Intramedullary xenograft cortical bone pins are biodegra dable and may reduce the need fur additional surgery to remove implants aft er fracture healing. (C) Copyright 2000 by The American College of Veterina ry Surgeons.