Unifocal Internal and External Bone Lengthening with Ilizarov Method in 4 Dogs
Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ankara, Turkey
Introduction
The purpose of this study was treatment of long bones defect and extremity shortening with Ilizarov Method in 4 dogs, and also to present the results of these operations to our colleagues.
Materials and methods
This study was performed on 4 dogs brought to Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Radius of 2 dogs had extremity shortening of 7 and 5 cm, respectively and tibia of 2 dogs had extremity shortening of 3 and 6 cm, respectively. In the 1st and 3rd case of 80 mm diameter with 3 rings of which the proximal one is a 5/8 ring and 3 rods were applied. In the 2nd case of 80 mm diameter with 2 full rings and 3 rods was applied. In the 4th case of 100 mm diameter with 3 rings of which the proximal one is a half ring and 3 rods was applied. Corticotomy and a distraction at the rate of 0.5 mm X2 times/day were performed following an interval of 3 days. In case 1, unifocal internal lengthening and in the rest of the cases, unifocal external lengthening was done. Distraction was performed on cases for 70, 50, 30 and 60 days, respectively.
Results
It was followed that the dogs tolerated the apparatus well. The dogs began to use their limbs on the 21st, 43rd, 10th and 28th day, respectively. The radiographic follow up examinations revealed complete consolidations on the postoperative 75th, 53rd, 35th and 65th days, respectively. The apparatus were removed on the 85th, 63rd, 45th and 72nd days, respectively. In this study, good results were obtained from 1st, 3rd and 4th cases when it was satisfactory in 2nd case.
Conclusion
The basis of Ilizarov method depends on protection of periosteal and intramedullary vascular structure during corticotomy and stimulation of ossification with rhythmic distraction after a short period of interval. As a result, we suggest our colleagues to carefully preplan the operations protect the periosteal and intramedullary blood supply and perform regulated rhythmic distractions when a distraction with Ilizarov's method is considered.