Tibiotarsal Fracture Research Articles

HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF CAPTIVE BEARDED VULTURES (GYPAETUS BARBATUS) IN CATALONIA (SPAIN).

Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) populations are declining worldwide primarily due to anthropogenic factors. A captive breeding program has been established in Spain, a country with one of the largest free-living populations in Europe, to further enhance the conservation efforts of this emblematic species. However, captive vulture populations can be exposed to different risks through food, such as drug residues and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. Health surveillance of species involved in captive breeding programs is important to face introduction of healthy animals in situ and to obtain baseline clinical data. The objective of this study was to assess the general health status of bearded vultures held in captivity in Catalonia (northeastern Spain) by carrying out hematologic, biochemical, toxicologic, and bacteriologic analyses. A total of 16 bearded vultures were sampled; the data obtained from one vulture, with a chronic tibiotarsal fracture, were excluded from the statistical analysis. Hematologic and biochemical parameters of the bearded vultures were mostly within the range of standard values as stated in previous studies. Basal feather and serum corticosterone levels were analyzed and described for the first time in this species. A total of 15 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained that were resistant to fluoroquinolones (80%), tetracycline (60%), trimethoprim and ampicillin (40%), sulfamethoxazole (33%), and colistin (20%), with 40% of them being multidrug resistant. Three of 15 isolates were carriers of the mcr-1 gene. Only the injured bird previously treated with enrofloxacin was positive for fluoroquinolone residues. Periodic monitoring for the presence of AMR bacteria would be recommended in captive breeding programs as a preventive action to establish future therapies.

Stabilization and Long-Term Outcome of a Tibiotarsal Fracture in a Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Using a Supracutaneous Plating Technique

AbstractThe aim of this study was to report the successful outcome of a tibiotarsal fracture in a turkey vulture managed with a supracutaneous plating technique. This is a case report study design. A juvenile male turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) was presented unable to walk. Physical exam revealed instability in the left tibiotarsus. Radiographs confirmed a comminuted mid-diaphyseal fracture of the left tibiotarsus. The turkey vulture underwent fracture stabilization using fluoroscopic guidance with a 12-hole 2.4-mm locking compression plate (LCP) placed in a supracutaneous fashion with locking screws proximally and distally. The turkey vulture was ambulatory immediately following surgery, and lameness had resolved by day three. Four weeks postoperatively, radiographs demonstrated loss of cortical bone density, and the construct was dynamized. At 6 weeks postoperatively, radiographs revealed a bridging callus, and all implants were removed. Following an additional 2 weeks of cage rest, recheck radiographs confirmed continued fracture healing and increased cortical density. At week nine, the turkey vulture was transitioned to a pre-release flight cage where the vulture was noted to set flight, land, grasp, walk, and perch normally. The turkey vulture was released 12 weeks postoperatively. This case report documents the successful functional outcome of a closed, comminuted mid-diaphyseal fracture of the tibiotarsus in a minimally invasive manner utilizing a supracutaneous plating technique. Based on a literature search, this is the first report utilizing supracutaneous plating for a tibiotarsal fracture in a turkey vulture.

External skeletal fixator intramedullary pin tie-in for the repair of tibiotarsal fractures in raptors: 37 cases (1995-2011).

To evaluate the outcome of the application of an external skeletal fixator intramedullary pin tie-in (TIF) to tibiotarsal fractures in raptors. Retrospective case series. Thirty-four raptors with 37 tibiotarsal fractures. Medical records and radiographs for raptors with tibiotarsal fractures that were treated at The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota between 1995 and 2011 were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were generated and univariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess whether age, sex, body weight, location and nature of the fracture, and type of surgical reduction were significantly associated with whether the fracture healed following surgical reduction and TIF application. 31 of 37 (84%) tibiotarsal fractures successfully healed following surgical reduction and TIF application. The mean healing time was 38 days (range, 15 to 70 days). None of the variables assessed were significantly associated with whether the tibiotarsal fracture healed. Twenty of the 34 (59%) raptors were eventually rehabilitated and released. Results indicated that most tibiotarsal fractures were successfully managed by surgical reduction and stabilization with a TIF. However, other comorbidities (eg, systemic infections and visual deficits) negatively affected the rehabilitation of raptors and sometimes resulted in euthanasia despite the fact that the tibiotarsal fracture had healed, and those comorbidities, along with the variables evaluated (eg, age, sex, and nature of the fracture), should be used as triage criteria and prognostic indicators.

Pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon due to C. difficile in an inpatient hospitalized for home accident

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the main cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. It can result in symptoms ranging from moderate diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. Among the risk factors, there is antibiotic therapy, responsible for intestinal flora disruption.A 72-year-old man presented to the Emergency Room for a home accident, a fall, that resulted in a cranio-facial trauma and tibio-tarsal fracture. He was administered cefazolin. Then he underwent surgery and the antibiotic therapy was switched to teicoplanin + levofloxacin; three days after, he started having diarrhea and mild fever. Rifaximin was added. A further exacerbation prompted the replacement of antibiotic therapy with tazobactam-piperacillin and metronidazole. Owing to the detection in fecal examination of CDI signs, tazobactam-piperacillin were replaced with vancomicin. Due to the persistence of symptoms, the worsening of physical conditions and the onset of pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon, fidaxomicin therapy was started, with symptom resolution in few days. A patient’s follow-up at five months post-treatment showed no CDI recurrence.

Comparison of Holding Power of Three Different Pin Designs for External Skeletal Fixation in Avian Bone: A Study in Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

(1) To evaluate resistance to axial extraction of 3 pin designs in avian humerus and tibiotarsus; (2) to assess the effect of pin location within the bone on holding power; and (3) to assess the influence of thread pitch on holding power. Resistance of pins to axial extraction was measured immediately after insertion. Adult common buzzards (Buteo buteo; n=9). Different pin designs (1 smooth; 2 threaded pins, differing in pitch) were inserted into the proximal and distal metaphysis and the proximal, middle, and distal diaphysis of the humerus and tibiotarsus. Maximum force required for axial extraction of pins was recorded. Smooth pins had the lowest extraction force (P<.05). Pins inserted into the diaphysis (proximal, middle and distal) of the humerus and the distal metaphysis of the tibiotarsus had a greater pullout strength than pins in other locations. Pins with a smaller pitch inserted into the proximal diaphysis and distal metaphysis of the humerus, and the proximal metaphysis of the tibiotarsus had significantly greater holding power than pins with a larger pitch (P<.05). Pins inserted into the diaphysis of humerus and the distal metaphysis of the tibiotarsus are better at resisting extraction. Pins with a smaller pitch possess greater holding power than pins with a larger pitch in avian humerus and tibiotarsus. Consideration should be given to pin location and thread pitch, when choosing external skeletal fixation to repair an avian humeral or tibiotarsal fracture.

TIBIOTARSAL FRACTURE REPAIR IN A BALD EAGLE (HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS) USING AN INTERLOCKING NAIL

A 14-yr-old, 5.13-kg bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was hit by a car and presented to the Michigan State University Small Animal Clinic with an open, grade II, transverse, midshaft, Winquist-Hansen type-II-comminuted left tibiotarsal fracture. The fracture was reduced and fixation established with a 4.7-mm-diameter, 112-mm-long, four-hole veterinary intramedullary interlocking nail maintained in position by single 2-mm transcortical screws placed in the main proximal and distal fragments. The bird was weight bearing on the bandaged limb 48 hr postoperatively. Radiographs obtained 4 wk postoperatively revealed bridging callus over three of four cortices. The bird was released after 5 mo of rehabilitation.

Repair of a Tibiotarsal Fracture in a Grey Heron

Repair of a Tibiotarsal Fracture in a Grey Heron