Repair of a Comminuted Femur Fracture in a Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) Using a Double Plating Technique

Abstract

This report describes double locking compression plate fixation of a moderately comminuted mid-diaphyseal right femur fracture in a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). The animal was restrained for a routine examination, during which the dragon struggled to escape restraint. When returned to the exhibit, the dragon did not use the right pelvic limb to walk. A right-sided, closed, mid-diaphyseal comminuted (type C3) femur fracture was diagnosed using palpation and radiographs, and the animal was transported to a specialty clinic within a few hours for fracture repair. Two locking compression plates (LCPs) were applied in bridging fashion for fracture repair. Radiographs performed at the four-month post-operative recheck revealed a healed fracture with significant callus formation and stable implants. The dragon was transitioned from cage rest in a restricted space to his normal large exhibit after healing was confirmed, no lameness was observed, and normal limb use was noted. After almost three years, he is still ambulating normally and without lameness. This is the first report of successful femur fracture stabilization using bone plate fixation in a Komodo dragon.