Vascular Injury and Delayed Hemorrhage after Antebrachial External Skeletal Fixation in a Dog

Summary

A seven-month-old female Saluki was diagnosed with angular limb deformity due to premature closure of the left distal ulnar physis. Corrective radial osteotomy and ulnar ostectomy were performed, and the radius was stabilized with external skeletal fixation. Profuse haemorrhage occurred from the second medioproximal pin site two weeks after surgery. Removal of the pin resolved the hemorrhage. Early recognition and treatment of vascular injury secondary to vessel erosion after external skeletal fixation is necessary, as this is a serious complication. Appropriate pin placement in the radius will prevent this complication.

Two weeks after application of an external skeletal fixator to the antibrachium of a seven-month-old Saluki profused haemorrhage occurred from one pin site. Surgical removal of the pin was necessary to arrest haemorrhage.

Keywords

Angular limb deformity - external skeletal fixation - vascular injury

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