Treatment of distal femur fractures in cats with hybrid external fixator

In this study, clinical and radiological findings of the treatment of distal femur fractures in cats with hybrid external fixator were evaluated. For this purpose, a total of 10 cats with different ages, races and genders, which were brought to Siirt University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery the and diagnosed as femur fractures, were used. In there search, hybrid external fixators consisting of circular and linear fixators were used as osteosynthesis material. Closed reduction and external fixation method was applied in 2 cases with closed fracture, and limited open reduction and external fixation method was applied in 8 cases with open fracture or excessive dislocation. All of the patients were hospitalized for post-operative care. In radiological examination, it was determined that fracture consolidation started on the post-operative 7th day in 9 casesand on the 10th day in 1 case. Osseous callus was detected in 4, 5 and 6th weeks in 2, 2 and 6 of 10 cases, respectively. In all patients, fixators were removed on 1 week after recovery was completed. In the study, complications related to soft tissue such as edema in there lated limb in 3 cases, mildpin-bottominfection in 3 cases and open wound in 4 cases were encountered. However, it was observed that these complications did not adversely affect the healing time. As a result, with the data obtained from this study, it was concluded that femoral fractures can be successfully treated with hybrid external fixator system in cats within the scope of the study.