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Postoperative complications associated with external skeletal fixators in cats
Lee Beever1, Kirsty Giles1, Richard Meeson1
1Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK.
External skeletal fixators (ESFs) in cats lead to complications in 19% of cases, particularly at the femur, tarsus, and radius/ulna. Implant failure and pin tract infections are common, but cats may have fewer infections than dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Orthopedics
- Surgical Complications
- Biomaterials in Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- External skeletal fixators (ESFs) are utilized for fracture repair in veterinary medicine.
- Assessing complication rates and risk factors is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes in feline patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify complications associated with external skeletal fixators (ESFs) in cats.
- To identify potential risk factors for these complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records and radiographs.
- Analysis of 140 feline cases involving ESF placement.
Main Results:
- 19% of cats experienced fixator-associated complications (FACs).
- Femur (50%), tarsus (35%), and radius/ulna (33%) showed the highest complication rates.
- Superficial pin tract infection (SPTI) and implant failure were the most common FACs (45% and 41%, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Complication development is a significant consideration following ESF placement in cats.
- Specific anatomical regions (femur, tarsus, radius/ulna) have higher complication rates.
- Cats may exhibit a lower incidence of pin tract infections compared to dogs.
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