Tibial osteosynthesis in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

A.S Macedo,M.S Mucillo,M.A Goulart,M.M Alievi,R.B Silva,V.S Mombach,Í.S Dal-Bó,B.W Minto

doi:10.1590/1678-7498

Abstract

A guinea pig was presented with left pelvic limb lameness after unknown trauma. Radiographs revealed complete oblique diaphyseal fracture of the distal third of the left tibia and fibula. The guinea pig was treated surgically with an intramedullary pin. The day after surgery the guinea pig was using the limb comfortably (grade 1/5 lameness). Callus formation was obtained 21 days after surgery without complications.

Highlights

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are South American hystricomorph rodents, monogastric herbivores
They have stocky bodies, delicate short limbs with fragile bones and no tails (Quesenberry and Carpenter, 2011). Because they are active and curious, they often suffer traumas when exploring the environment around them. This implies the occurrence of injuries such as diaphyseal tibial fractures, which are often oblique, spiral or fragmentary and can sometimes be open fractures due to the lack of soft tissue around the bone (Johnson and Hulse, 2002)
The anatomical position of the tibia reflects a variety of techniques for fracture repair, such as bandages, intramedullary pins, screws, cerclage wires, plates and external skeletal fixators (Denny and Butterworth, 2006)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are South American hystricomorph rodents, monogastric herbivores They have stocky bodies, delicate short limbs with fragile bones and no tails (Quesenberry and Carpenter, 2011). This paper reports the case of a complete diaphyseal fracture of the distal third shaft on the left tibia and fibula in a guinea pig treated surgically with an intramedullary pin. Conscious radiographs of the guinea pig were manually taken providing craniocaudal and mediolateral views of the left tibia (Figure 1 – A and B). A medial approach was made to the shaft of the left tibia through the skin and subcutaneous tissues and the fracture site was identified. On the 21th day after surgery the patient presented neither lameness nor pain at palpation; radiographs displayed good reduction and alignment of the fracture with evident bone healing and callus formation (Figure 4 – C and D).

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION