Closed Reduction of a Tibial Nonunion by Transfixation Pinning

Closed reduction and fixation by transfixation pinning is a successful operation for nonunion of the tibia following failure of intramedullary pin fixation. This technique has several advantages. It allows compression at the site of nonunion. It can be performed in a short time and causes minimal tissue trauma. The joints are not restricted and the patient has unrestricted ambulation.     

Conservative Management of a Distal Epiphyseal Metacarpal Fracture in a Skyros Pony

Epiphyseal fracture, also known as epiphysiolysis, is the loosening or separation, either partial or complete, of an epiphysis from the shaft of a long bone. Distal epiphyseal fractures in foals pose a substantial challenge due to their guarded prognosis. This report describes the clinical signs, diagnosis, successful conservative treatment of an 1-month-old, male Skyros pony with an epiphyseal fracture of the right third metacarpal bone (type II Salter-Harris). The owner declined surgical treatment because of financial considerations along with the unfavorable prognosis. Conservative fracture treatment was pursued through external reduction and coaptation. The total duration of the conservative treatment was eighteen weeks and the foal returned to complete health.     

Surgical Repair of a Comminuted Distal Femoral Fracture in a Dog

This case illustrates that good results may be achieved with fractured femur that was severely comminuted (i.e. a "Humpty Dumpty" fracture). The blood supply at the fracture site must be carefully preserved. The bony architecture must be reestablished with perfect reduction of the articular surfaces, preferably with interfragmentary compression between the bone fragments. These fragments are held in place with screws and Kirschner wires. Some of the screws and pins were left in place as the trauma incurred to retrieve them would have done more harm than good due to bony overgrowth.     

Severe Comminuted and Spiral Tibial Fracture Managed with a Cross-tied Cast in a Pony

In the horse, diaphyseal tibial fractures are generally comminuted, spiral, and open; they are related to a high-energy accident, which makes them, in general, a catastrophic injury. The major comminution and the open component make of this fracture a real challenge when surgically repaired. For the owner, the costly treatment and the often poor prognosis are two major factors to consider, particularly when dealing with an adult horse. We describe the case of a severe comminuted and spiral, closed fracture of the tibia, with diaphyseal and distal metaphyseal involvement in a pleasure pony. The owner could not afford a surgical intervention, but he refused categorically to euthanize the animal. Considering the closed status of the fracture, a conservative treatment option was offered as a very last option. The tibial fracture was managed successfully with a cross-tied cast.     

猫股骨髁粉碎性骨折的手术内固定

为诊断1只高处坠落导致跛行的患猫,采取了临床基本检查、实验室检查及DR影像学检查,确诊为左后肢股骨髁粉碎性骨折。根据检查结果制定手术治疗方案,采用交叉克氏针配合拉力螺钉进行手术内固定。后期回访患猫骨折断端愈合良好,运动功能逐步恢复,表明上述骨折固定方法有效。     

Use of Bone Plate for Treatment of an Open Third Metacarpal Fracture in a Foal

A 7-month-old, 180-kg, female foal was presented with open diaphyseal fracture of the left third metacarpal bone. The fractured limb was stabilized preoperatively with external coaptation. Open reduction and internal fixation were done using 4.5-mm broad dynamic compression plate, which was applied in a neutralization manner. Postoperatively, external support with padded bandage reinforced with gutter splint made of fiber glass was provided. The incisional infection and the contaminated wound on medial aspect of the metacarpal were managed with regular dressing. Complete radiographic union and functional recovery were noticed by 4 months postoperatively. Open diaphyseal fractures can be managed by proper preoperative fracture stabilization, wound management, and fixation methods using bone plate and external coaptation.     

Malignant Sertoli Cell Tumour in a Young Simmenthal Bull – Clinical and Pathological Observations

Tumours are rare in the bovine testicle. A case of malignant Sertoli cell tumour in a 29‐month‐old Simmenthal bull that was hospitalized with a history of severe unilateral scrotal swelling is reported. On inspection and palpation, the scrotal sac was found enlarged with fluctuant content in the right side. The right testicle was enlarged, hard and indolent. Also the right plexus pampiniformis and funiculus spermaticus were enlarged. Sonograms revealed severe changes in the right testicle with a loss of homogeneity and multiple hyperechogenic areas. After slaughter, the scrotum with testicles were removed and evaluated pathologically. On section, the right testicle contained areas of necrosis, haemorrhage, and mineralization. Histology showed Sertoli cells in tubular structures surrounded by dense fibrous stroma replacing normal testicular tissue. Both lymphatic and blood vessels were infiltrated by neoplastic cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells stained positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin and S‐100. Based on the pathological observations a diagnosis of right‐sided malignant Sertoli cell tumour with vascular invasion and hydrocele was established.     

Differences in calpain system,desmin degradation and water holding capacity between commercial Meishan and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred pork

The objective of this study was to examine the differences in calpain system, desmin degradation, pH values and water holding capacity (WHC) between muscles of commercial Meishan and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred pigs. Meishan pork presented better WHC evidenced by lower purge loss at days 1 and 3 and less centrifugation loss at day 1 post mortem (P < 0.05). pH values at 45 min post mortem in Meishan pork were significantly higher compared to crossbred pork (P < 0.05). Calpain‐1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was lower in Meishan pork compared to that from crossbred pork (P < 0.05). Additionally, calpain‐1 activity, the ratio of calpain‐1 to calpastatin activity and desmin degradation were lower in Meishan pork compared to those from crossbred pork samples (P < 0.05). The results indicate that the calpain system including mRNA expression and activity were different between commercial Meishan and crossbred pork resulting in difference in the degree of desmin degradation during post mortem aging. pH values at 45 min and 24 h post mortem rather than calpain activity and desmin degradation could explain the higher water holding capacity in commercial Meishan pork.     

Significant advances in veterinary oncology – 60 years on

The first edition of the Journal of Small Animal Practice published in February 1960, contained a paper entitled “Recent Treatments of Malignant Neoplasia” by Dr Larry Owen. Now we have reached the 60th anniversary of JSAP, that article provides a baseline from which to review subsequent advances in veterinary oncology, which now includes worldwide networks that have resulted in veterinary oncology becoming the multidisciplinary speciality that it is today. There certainly have been many advances in understanding of the pathology and epidemiology of animal cancers and in methods of diagnosis and treatment. However, the subject has become so large and diverse that not all aspects can be covered in detail here. It should also be acknowledged that there are still many gaps in knowledge in this field and that, because of a lack of randomised clinical trials, the evidence base for what is often regarded as “standard of care” is weak.     

Incomplete Longitudinal Fracture of the Proximal Palmar Cortex of the Third Metacarpal Bone in Horses

Seven horses, 2 to 4 years of age, were examined because of moderate-to-severe forelimb lameness, mild effusion of the middle carpal joint (3 horses), and pain on palpation of the origin of the suspensory ligament (4 horses). The lameness was abolished by anesthetic infiltration of the middle carpal joint in six horses. In four of them, a high palmar nerve block also abolished the lameness. A linear radiolucency in the proximal end of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) was interpreted as an incomplete longitudinal fracture. In one horse, distinct intramedullary sclerosis limited to the palmar cortex was indicative of an incomplete fracture confined to the palmar cortex. No osteoproliferative lesions were identified on the dorsal cortex of any of the horses. Surgical treatment with cortical screws in lag fashion accompanied by a rest period was successful in one horse. In four horses, rest for at least 3 months resulted in clinical soundness. In two horses, a shorter rest period resulted in recurrence of the lameness even though the horses were sound when put back into training. Careful clinical and radiographic examinations helped differentiate incomplete longitudinal fractures from lesions involving the carpus and proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament.     

In Vitro Comparison of a Novel External Fixator and Traditional Full‐Limb Transfixation Pin Cast in Horses

Objective: To compare the mechanical properties and failure modes of a standardized short oblique distal radial metaphyseal osteotomy stabilized using either a transfixation pin cast (TPC), a modular‐sidebar external skeletal fixator (ESF), or a solid‐sidebar ESF (modular‐ or solid‐ESF, respectively) using static or cyclic axial loading to failure. Study Design: In vitro study. Animals: Equine cadaver forelimbs. Methods: A 30° oblique distal radial osteotomy was created and stabilized using 1 of the 3 fixation methods: (1) TPC, (2) modular‐ESF, or (3) solid‐ESF. Limbs were tested using static (TPC, modular‐ESF, and solid‐ESF) or cyclic (TPC and solid‐ESF) axial loading to failure. The stiffness, yield load, yield displacement, failure load, and failure displacement for static loading and the cycles to failure for cyclic loading at 75% failure load were obtained. Data were analyzed using a Kruskal–Wallis test. Level of significance was P<.05. Results: The solid‐ESF had a greater stiffness, higher yield and failure load and a lower yield and failure displacement than the TPC (P=.01) and the modular‐ESF (P=.02). TPC had a higher yield load, failure load, and yield displacement than the modular‐ESF (P=.01). Mean cycles to failure for TPC was 2996±657 at a load of 16,000 N and for solid‐ESF 6560±90 cycles at a load of 25,000 N. Conclusions: The solid‐ESF was stiffer and stronger than the TPC and modular‐ESF and failed at a greater number of cycles in axial loading compared with the TPC. Clinical Relevance: This study is an initial step in evaluating the solid‐ESF. Further testing needs to be performed, but this fixation may offer a viable alternative to the traditional TPC for stabilization of long bone fractures in adult horses.     

Osteostixis for Incomplete Cortical Fracture of the Third Metacarpal Bone: Results in 11 Horses

Eleven horses with acute or chronic incomplete cortical fractures of the left or right third metacarpal bone (McIII) were treated with surgical puncture (osteostixis). The fractures were diagnosed by physical examination and radiography. Four to eight holes, 2.7 or 3.5 mm in diameter, were drilled in the fractured bone. Radiographically, the fractures were healed by month 3, and the drill holes were inapparent by month 7. Nine horses (82%) returned to race competition, and two horses were retired, one the result of a surgical complication. The mean time between surgery and the first race was 9.4 months. None of the bones refractured within 24 months of surgery. Osteostixis was not technically difficult and a second operation for implant removal was not necessary.