Linear-circular external skeletal fixation of intra-condylar humeral fractures with supracondylar comminution in four cats.

OBJECTIVES Intra-condylar humeral fracture with supracondylar comminution in cats is rare, and the stabilisation for such fractures is challenging. The purpose of our study was to describe the use of a hybrid external skeletal fixator, and to report the complications and outcomes of this surgical technique. METHODS A retrospective review was performed of clinical, radiographic and surgical records of all cats with intra-condylar humeral fractures and non-reconstructable supracondylar comminution stabilized by linear- circular external skeletal fixator in two institutions between January 2005 and March 2010. RESULTS Four cats met the inclusion criteria of the study. All cases achieved fracture union and clinical outcome was considered excellent at the time of the final assessment (11 - 24 weeks). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrates that a linear-circular fixator system can be used successfully in the management of intra-con dylar humeral fractures with non-reconstructable supracondylar comminution in cats.