An open grade I transverse diaphyseal fracture of the metatarsal bone in a 5-yr-old female guanaco (Lama guanicoe) was successfully stabilized with a locking plate system, which is a minimally invasive approach. A conical coupling screw-plate locking system with 3.0-mm-thick plates and 3.5-mm locking head screws was applied, after closed and indirect reduction of the bone segments, with an orthogonal configuration of the plates. The implants were protected postoperatively with a splinted bandage. The fracture healed without complications, the limb function was successfully recovered, and no major complications were observed at the 2-yr follow-up. The surgical procedure was carried out with biologic internal fixation supports and an adequate functional union within a time period similar to that reported for this species following other fracture fixation methods. This case highlights the potential benefit of combining minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and plate-locking systems for fracture repair in camelids.
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1 December 2014
MINIMALLY INVASIVE METATARSAL FRACTURE REPAIR WITH LOCKING PLATES IN A GUANACO (LAMA GUANICOE)
Andrea Bertuglia,
Sara Piga,
Michela Bullone,
Lisa Piras,
Mitzy Mauthe von Degerfeld
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Camelids
locking-plate
metatarsal fracture
MIPO
osteosynthesis