Repair of femoral fractures in calves via external skeletal fixator with intramedullary pin tie-in

ObjectiveTo describe the success rate and associated complications of external skeletal fixator/intramedullary pin tie-in for calf femoral fracture fixation. Study DesignClinical retrospective. AnimalsTen calves, less than 30 days old, with diaphyseal/metaphyseal femoral fractures. MethodsMedical records were reviewed from the University of Wisconsin from 2000 to 2020. Fractures were repaired using open reduction and fixation. An intramedullary Steinman pin was placed, exiting near the greater trochanter, and utilized for fracture reduction. Bicortical transfixation pins were placed distal and proximal to the fracture site. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-filled tubing connected the transfixation pins and proximal intramedullary pin, creating a Type 1a external skeletal fixator (ESF) tie-in. Follow up was obtained via medical records and phone interviews. ResultsShort-term survival rate was 7/10 (70%). Postanesthetic death occurred once. Postoperative complications occurred in all remaining cases. The most common findings were transfixation pin tract lucency and lameness (6/9 cases), implant dysfunction (5/9 cases), and infection (4/9 cases). Three of five cases with long-term follow up survived; all went on to productive careers. ConclusionAlthough patients were prone to postoperative complications, short-term survival was comparable to previous reports. Clinical SignificanceThe external skeletal fixator/intramedullary (ESF/IM) pin tie-in is less expensive and offers comparable success rates to other methods, providing a lower cost option for calf femoral fracture repair.