Postoperative complications associated with open reduction and internal fixation of long bone fractures in calves

Abstract

Objectives: Surgical reduction with plate fixation and wire sutures is helpful for the functional restoration of a broken limb for improved clinical management of long bone fractures. Postoperative problems are highly likely following long-bone fractures in the calves. The goal of this study was to find out what the most common problems were after surgery for all of these fracture treatment methods. Materials and Methods: The results of calves who received the two surgical methods with and without problems were compared. All calves underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a bone plate and full cerclage wire. On days 0, 14, and 28 after surgery, with or without complications, the clinical outcomes, such as wound infection, delayed union or non-union, and rotational misalignment was looked at. Results: In this study, 8 problems were reported out of 10 calves. The most prevalent complications included severe misalignment, wound infection, implant failure, and delayed union. Open fractures managed with plate fixation had the highest rate of problems compared to full cerclage wire. After a bacteriological study, it was found that Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were among the bacteria that caused acute infections at complicated fracture sites. Conclusion: This study exhibited that the full cerclage wire suture was associated with fewer complications compared to that plate fixation. However, further studies and evidence are necessary on a large sample size to draw a precise conclusion. [Vet. Res. Notes 2022; 2(9.000): 63-67]

Keywords

• fracture; plate fixation; suture wire; complications; infection; calves