External fixator-assisted plating osteosynthesis in a rabbit model of femoral bone defects appears to be a feasible and reproducible surgical technique: preliminary insights from a bone substitute study

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to assess the complications associated with the use of an external fixator-assisted plate osteosynthesis technique to stabilize a femoral bone defect in a rabbit model and to evaluate if this technique could avoid the mispositioning and the displacement of the femoral fragments during the surgical procedure. METHODS: A preliminary cadaveric animal study was conducted to develop a new technique of external fixator-assisted plating. Thirty rabbits underwent a surgical procedure consisting in the creation of a femoral bone defect and, subsequently an implantation of a bone substitute through the assistance of a temporary external fixator. The fixator’s ability to maintain length and alignment during surgery was documented. All intraoperative complications were prospectively collected. RESULTS: No complications related to the use of the temporary external fixator were reported. The technique successfully prevented mispositioning and dislocation during plating in all the rabbits. CONCLUSION: In a rabbit animal model, the use of an external fixator-assisted plate osteosynthesis technique appears to be feasible and effective in avoiding misposition and rotation of femoral fragments when performing osteotomy and plating to create a mid-diaphyseal femoral defect. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40634-023-00644-6.