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CC BY 4.0 · VCOT Open 2022; 05(02): e111-e115
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1757349
Case Report

Stabilization and Long-Term Outcome of a Tibiotarsal Fracture in a Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Using a Supracutaneous Plating Technique

Autoren

  • Marina Liles

    1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Oklahoma State University System, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States

  • Anthony Barillo

    1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Oklahoma State University System, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States

  • Danielle Dugat 

    2   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States

  • Nicola Di Girolamo

    3   Zoological Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York, United States

  • João Brandão

    4   Department of Exotics and Zoo, Oklahoma State University System, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States

  • Rodrigo Roca 

    1   Department of Small Animal Surgery, Oklahoma State University System, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to report the successful outcome of a tibiotarsal fracture in a turkey vulture managed with a supracutaneous plating technique. This is a case report study design. A juvenile male turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) was presented unable to walk. Physical exam revealed instability in the left tibiotarsus. Radiographs confirmed a comminuted mid-diaphyseal fracture of the left tibiotarsus. The turkey vulture underwent fracture stabilization using fluoroscopic guidance with a 12-hole 2.4-mm locking compression plate (LCP) placed in a supracutaneous fashion with locking screws proximally and distally. The turkey vulture was ambulatory immediately following surgery, and lameness had resolved by day three. Four weeks postoperatively, radiographs demonstrated loss of cortical bone density, and the construct was dynamized. At 6 weeks postoperatively, radiographs revealed a bridging callus, and all implants were removed. Following an additional 2 weeks of cage rest, recheck radiographs confirmed continued fracture healing and increased cortical density. At week nine, the turkey vulture was transitioned to a pre-release flight cage where the vulture was noted to set flight, land, grasp, walk, and perch normally. The turkey vulture was released 12 weeks postoperatively. This case report documents the successful functional outcome of a closed, comminuted mid-diaphyseal fracture of the tibiotarsus in a minimally invasive manner utilizing a supracutaneous plating technique. Based on a literature search, this is the first report utilizing supracutaneous plating for a tibiotarsal fracture in a turkey vulture.

Keywords

tibiotarsus - Turkey vulture - supracutaneous plating - fracture


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 10. Juni 2022

Angenommen: 20. Juli 2022

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
21. Oktober 2022

© 2022. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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