Type I external skeletal fixation of radial fractures in microchiropterans.

An adult male big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) and an adult female hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) were presented with open transverse middiaphyseal left radial fractures. Initial repair was attempted by intramedullary pinning. When the fractures did not heal, intramedullary pins were removed and type I external skeletal fixators were placed. The fractures healed, and the big brown bat regained normal flight but the hoary bat did not.