Dr. S. AnoopRENY RAJ2024-03-182024-03-182022-02-10https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810207550The study was carried out with the objective to standardise and evaluate efficacy of long bone fracture management in cats using external skeletal fixator with intramedullary pin tie-in configuration using epoxy putty. Six cats were selected irrespective of age, breed and sex for the study. All the cats in the study were domestic short hair breeds with age ranging from four months to ten months and body weight ranging from 1.1 to 2.8 kilogram. Among the six cats, four were males and two were females. The exciting causes of fracture were jumping from a height (4) and automobile accident (2). Orthogonal views of radiographs were taken as the confirmatory diagnosis and showed one mid-diaphyseal transverse, two mid-diaphyseal short oblique and three mid-diaphyseal long oblique fractures. The implant sizes were selected based on the measurements from the radiographs pre-operatively and comprised of an intramedullary pin which occupied 40-60 per cent and Schanz screws covering 30-40 per cent of the medullary canal. A retrograde intramedullary pinning was carried out and the Steinmann pin was bend at the point of exit of the skin and kept parallel to the bone. Transfixation Schanz screws are applied at either side of the fracture and both are joined with the epoxy putty. Follow-up radiographs taken on day 14, 28 and 42 revealed rigid and stable fracture fixations with callus formation. All the cats showed grade VI weight bearing lameness pre-operatively. Postoperatively, five cases progressed to grade I lameness and one case to grade II by the end of day 28. There was no statistically significant difference in the haematological parameters throughout the observation period. However, the mean serum alkaline phosphatase level was elevated throughout the study period. Fracture fixation using external skeletal fixator with intramedullary pin tie-in configuration using epoxy putty had excellent stability and provided early ambulation to the cats. Self-mutilation and early ambulation by the cats posed a threat to its stability.EnglishThesis