Animals (Jan 2023)

Bone Healing Process of a Multiple Humeral Fracture in a <i>Caretta caretta</i>: Clinical, Surgical, Radiographic and Histomorphometric Assessments

  • Carmela Valastro,
  • Mariasevera Di Comite,
  • Serena Paci,
  • Delia Franchini,
  • Stefano Ciccarelli,
  • Antonio Di Bello

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030376
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 3
p. 376

Abstract

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This study describes the surgical treatment of multiple humeral fractures in a Caretta caretta sea turtle referred by the ‘Centro Faunistico del Parco Regionale Bosco e Paludi di Rauccio’, in the area surrounding the city of Lecce, in southern Italy. Radiographs showed an evident detachment of the distal humeral epiphysis, compatible with a type II Salter-Harris fracture, as well as a transverse fracture of the diaphysis. After the surgical fracture reduction, radiographic follow-up was performed at 2, 4, 12, 16, and 24 months, showing a progressive healing and the formation of poorly mineralized callus tissue. Unfortunately, three months after his release at sea, the turtle was caught dead at a depth of 40 m. Histological and histomorphometric examinations of the surgically treated humerus were carried out on the corpse to collect further information about the bone tissue repair mechanisms in these animals.

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