Indian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

In this clinical study, stainless vs. acrylic connecting bar for type Ib external skeletal fixation (ESF) tibial fracture repair in dogs were compared in terms of fixator stability, pain score and radiographic fracture healing. The study was conducted in 12 clinical cases of dogs with mid diaphyseal fractures which were randomly divided into two groups. Group I dogs were stabilized by type Ib ESF with stainless steel connecting bar, and group II dogs were stabilized by type IbESF with acrylic connecting bar. The pain score evaluation indicated relatively higher pain in group II. Radiographic evaluation revealed better healing in group I as compared to group II; and fixator frame was stable in both groups. Haematological changes in both groups were non-significant. The biochemical parameters revealed marginal variations in serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase, which were statistically nonsignificant in both groups. Stainless steel connecting bar type Ib ESF cause relatively less pain, provide better stability than acrylic connecting bar type Ib ESF.