Biomechanical Properties of the 1.5 mm Locking Compression Plate: Comparison with the 1.5 and 2.0 mm Straight Plates in Compression and Torsion.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to compare the biomechanical properties of a 1.5 mm locking compression plate (1.5 LCP) to the 1.5 mm straight plate (1.5 P), 1.5 mm straight plate stacked (1.5 PSt) and 2.0 mm straight plate (2.0 P) in compression and torsion. We hypothesized that biomechanical properties of the 1.5 LCP would be equivalent to properties of the 1.5 P and would represent an alternative for the treatment of radial fractures in miniature breed dogs in which those plates would be used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 1 mm fracture gap model was created with a bone surrogate stabilized with a six-hole plate. Sixteen constructs were built for each of the four plate configurations. Eight constructs from each group were tested in compression to failure and eight constructs were tested in torsion to failure. RESULTS: In compression testing, the 1.5 LCP was stiffer than the 1.5 P, and had similar stiffness than the 1.5 PSt and the 2.0 P. The load at yield of the 1.5 LCP was slightly lower than the 1.5 P. In torsion, the 1.5 LCP and 1.5 P had similar stiffness, but 1.5 LCP was slightly stronger than 1.5 P. The 1.5 PSt and 2.0 P were overall superior to the 1.5 LCP but only marginally so for the 1.5 PSt. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The 1.5 LCP can be considered biomechanically equivalent to the 1.5 P under the present experimental conditions. The use of the 1.5 LCP can be considered as an option for radial fracture repair in dogs in which a 1.5 P would have otherwise been used. The use of a locking plate to improve overall success rate, in these fractures, remains to be confirmed clinically.

Cuttable plate fixation for small breed dogs with radius and ulna fractures: Retrospective study of 31 dogs.

This retrospective study evaluated complication rates for radius and ulna fractures in small breed dogs in which 1.5 mm to 2.7 mm cuttable bone plates were used for internal fixation. The medical records of all cases from 2004 to 2011 that were presented to our clinic were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were: dogs with body weight < 9 kg, fracture of the radius and ulna with open reduction, and internal fixation utilizing a cuttable bone plate. Thirty-four fractures in 31 dogs met the inclusion criteria. Of 25 dogs that were available for follow-up, all achieved union, minor complications occurred in 9, and major complications occurred in 8. External coaptation was responsible for complications in 8 cases and the need for coaptation needs to be investigated. Excluding minor complications, 32% of patients required at least 1 additional surgery or additional hospitalization. All but 2 of the dogs returned to full function. The 1.5 mm straight plate was successfully used in all dogs with a body weight of 0.9 to 2.6 kg.

Fixation à l'aide d'une plaque taillable chez les chiens de petites races pour les fractures de radius et de cubitus : étude rétrospective de 31 chiens. Cette étude rétrospective a évalué les taux de complication pour les fractures de radius et de cubitus chez les chiens de petites races pour lesquels des plaques vissées taillables de 1,5 mm à 2,7 mm ont été utilisées pour la fixation interne. Les dossiers médicaux de tous les cas de 2004 à 2011 présentés à notre clinique ont été examinés. Les critères d'inclusion étaient les suivants : chiens avec un poids corporel de < 9 kg, la fracture de radius et de cubitus avec une réduction ouverte et une fixation interne utilisant une plaque vissée taillable. Trente-quatre fractures de 31 chiens ont satisfait aux critères d'inclusion. Parmi les 25 chiens qui étaient disponibles pour le suivi, on a observé une union réussie, des complications mineures se sont produites dans neuf cas et des complications majeures ont eu lieu dans huit cas. La coaptation externe a été responsable des complications dans huit cas et le besoin de coaptation doit être étudié. En excluant les complications mineures, 32 % des patients ont requis au moins une chirurgie additionnelle ou une hospitalisation additionnelle. Tous les chiens sauf deux sont retournés à une fonction complète. La plaque de 1,5 mm a été utilisée avec succès chez tous les chiens ayant un poids corporel de 0,9 à 2,6 kg.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Rotational and Axial Pattern Flaps in a Cat for Wound Reconstruction Secondary to Urethral Rupture.

A 3 yr old intact male domestic shorthair cat was presented with urine extravasation from urethral rupture. Extensive skin necrosis developed in the perineal region and left hind limb that necessitated delayed primary wound closure with a caudal superficial epigastric axial pattern flap, scrotal and preputial rotational skin flaps, and perineal urethrostomy.

Beta-lactam antibiotics prevent Salmonella-mediated bovine encephalopathy regardless of the ß-lactam resistance status of the bacteria.

This study assessed the capacity of ß-lactam antibiotics to prevent salmonella-mediated encephalopathy in calves given the putative neuroprotective effects of these drugs of increasing glutamate export from the brain. Both ampicillin and ceftiofur prevented the development of encephalopathy despite resistance of the inoculated Salmonella enterica serovar Saint-Paul isolate to both drugs. A glutamate receptor antagonist also prevented this salmonella-mediated encephalopathy. Glutamate exporters were hyper-expressed in the presence of ß-lactam antibiotics while a glutamate export inhibitor obviated the effects of these antibiotics, demonstrating a neuroprotective effect through glutamate export from the brain. The findings indicate that ß-lactam antibiotics remain an important treatment option for this atypical form of bovine salmonellosis.