Retrospective Assessment of Thirty-Two Cases of Pelvic Fractures Stabilized by External Fixation in Dogs and Classification Proposal

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study was aimed to evaluate the use of external fixation to stabilize pelvic fractures. The technique was performed by minimally invasive procedures, substantially reducing the impact of open approaches on tissues and facilitating healing of tissues. External fixation applied to pelvic fractures proved to be a valuable complimentary fixation method as well, providing further stability to the primary one. Therefore, though it is a technique not usually used in pelvic fractures, in our case cohort, it proved to be an effective alternative to the sole use of plates, either as an exclusive stabilization method or as an adjuvant one. During the evaluation of the cases, the authors were prompted to establish a classification proposal for the frame configuration used, in order to better understand the differences among them. ABSTRACT: The goals of this study were to evaluate the outcomes of bone healing, patient comfort during the treatment, functional results, and complications in pelvic fractures treated with external fixation, as well as to propose a classification system for the applied external frames. A total of thirty-two canine patients with pelvic fractures of different origins were treated. To provide a better reference for the frames used, an alphanumeric classification system was developed, detailing the frame structure and the number and location of the pins used. In this study, eighty-six fractures were treated in the 32 patients of this work, with an average fixation time of 9.88 ± 4.15 weeks. No major complications were detected in this case cohort, and the outcomes were rated at 9.46 based on a visual assessment scale for the patient’s comfort during treatment. Outcomes graded as excellent and good were 96%. The use of external fixation for stabilization of pelvic fractures should be considered as a technical option, especially for minimally invasive stabilization of complex fractures, either as a primary or secondary stabilization.