Retrospective evaluation of perioperative and short term clinical outcomes in appendicular long bone skeleton fractures repaired via the string of pearls (SOP) locking plate system

Matthew R Field,Ryan Butler,Robert W Wills,Wilburn M Maxwell

doi:10.1186/s12917-018-1707-6

Matthew R Field, Ryan Butler + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1707-6

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Abstract

BackgroundInternal plate fixation and, more recently, locking plate fixation are commonly used in the repair of fractures in small animal surgery. This retrospective study reviewed the use of the String of Pearls locking plate system in the fixation/repair of appendicular long bone skeleton fractures in 31 small animal veterinary patients (33 fractures).ResultsMajor complications necessitating revision surgery occurred in 7/33 (21%), with implant failure as the inciting cause in all cases. Variables corresponding to an unsuccessful outcome were evaluated, and a correlation was found with plates placed in a bridging manner (placed without rigid anatomic reconstruction, p = 0.02) and length of follow-up (p = 0.01).ConclusionsThe SOP plating system can be used in the repair of appendicular longbone skeletal fractures, however, the authors propose that adjunct fixation, such as intramedullary pin, double plating, or external coaptation would likely improve results and should be considered imperative in cases in which anatomic reconstruction is either not desirable or achievable.

Highlights

Internal plate fixation and, more recently, locking plate fixation are commonly used in the repair of fractures in small animal surgery
Complete data with follow-up ≥6 weeks were available for 31 patients (30 dogs, 1 cat, 35 String of Pearls (SOP) applications) consecutively treated for long bone fractures with SOP plate
The purpose of our study was to report on the clinical application and outcome associated with SOP plate fixation of appendicular long bone fractures in small animals

Summary

Introduction

More recently, locking plate fixation are commonly used in the repair of fractures in small animal surgery. Locking plates were first introduced in human surgery in the late nineteenth century. They did not gain widespread acceptance and use until Danis’ work along with Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen (AO) in the 1960s [1]. Locking plates act as “internal fixators,” wherein the construct is created by screws locking to the plate and, do not rely on plate-bone friction for stability. Monocortical screw placement, comes at the cost of increased construct compliance [11]

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