Successful Surgical Repair of Distal Diaphyseal Tibiotarsal Fracture Using an End Threaded Intramedullary Pin in a Goose (Anser Anser domesticus)

Vandana Sangwan; Arun Anand; Ashwani Kumar; Shashi Kant Mahajan

doi:10.5455/ijlr.20201027080606

Authors

Vandana Sangwan Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, INDIA
Arun Anand Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, INDIA
Ashwani Kumar Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, INDIA
Shashi Kant Mahajan Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, INDIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20201027080606%20%20%20%20%20

Keywords:

Anser Anser domesticus, Avian, Bone, Fracture, Goose, Internal Fixation, Waterfowl

Abstract

Fracture of tibiotarsal bone is commonly encountered in birds. This report describes the successful surgical fixation of distal diaphyseal tibiotarsal fracture in a 1.5-year-old pet goose weighing 3.80 Kg. The bird had non-weight bearing lameness in the right limb due to unknown trauma as the bird was kept in a gaggle of 12-15. Orthopaedic examination and radiography confirmed complete, simple, distal third diaphyseal, transverse inter digitating fracture of right tibiotarsal with cranio-lateral displacement. The fracture was repaired under general anesthesia using a stainless-steel end threaded (negative threads) intramedullary pin (3.5mm) in a retrograde fashion. The bird started bearing partial weight on the operated limb from the 15th day and full weight bearing by 30th day. The pin was removed on the 57th post-operative day when bridging callus was evident, radiographically but the bird was showing marked limping from the operated limb. The bird was set free with other birds after 10 days of pin removal. Use of an end-threaded intramedullary pin proved to be a simple and quick technique providing adequate stability for tibiotarsal bone fracture in a goose. To the best of author’s knowledge, no report using an end threaded intramedullary pin for the repair of tibiotarsal fracture has been reported in birds.

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