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Application of Îlizarov external fixator was carried out in 30 cases with orthopedic lesions in the ante brae hi um and tibia. Recovery periods and findings obtained from the cases were evaluated clinically and radiologically.
Most of the cases were young animals between the ages of 1-3 years. Seventeen of the lesions were located in the ossa cruris and ! 3 were in the antebrachium. 23 of these lesions were fractures, 4 were non-unions which had developed in the post-operative period and 3 were limb deformities caused by premature closure of the growth plates. 20 of the fractures were open and 3 were closed.
Radius shortness, radio-carpal subluxation, carpal valgus, degenerative arthritis andlncongmency in the elbow joint was seen in 2 cases due to premature closure of the growth plates. An İlizarov external fixcator was applied to 2 of these cases of which a radial cortİcotomy was done in one, while a double osteotomy in the radius and an ulnar ostectomy was carried out in the other. İn the remaining case, delayed endochondral ossification was determined in the distal ulnar growth plate. Following radial osteotomy and ulnar ostectomy, an İlizarov external fixator was applied to this case and the deformity was seen to improve significantly. Healing was achieved in 3 of the 4 cases with non-union by applying the compression monofocal osteosynthesis technique. İn cases with open fractures, in order to prevent bone loss, a bone shifting procedure was used under the principle of distraction osteogenesis. Complete recovery was achieved in 2 cases, while a complicated recovery (compression-distraction application) was seen in 1 case.
Most of the cases which had been treated with an îlizarov external fixator were able to use their extremity within days after the operation. According to their clinical development, the fixators were removed from the legs of the animals within 8-11 weeks in most of the cases.