External skeletal fixation and intramedullary nailing in a femoral fracture of a Puma concolor from the National Zoo of Cuba

Abstract

The surgical resolution of a femoral fracture is presented in a Puma concolor puppy belonging to the National Zoo of Cuba. For the first time in the country, an osteosynthesis system is described by intramedullary nailing in combination with an external skeletal fixation system using four threaded nails and a Methylmethacrylate bar in a wildlife animal. The placement of the intramedullary nailing completely intraosseous is described by means of an artisanal guide, which avoids the presence of nailing segments that protrude through the trochanteric fossa. In this way, migrations, seromas, discomforts and other negative repercussions are avoided. The animal was placed in its lair for postoperative treatment with antibiotics and analgesics. The external skeletal fixator was removed at 21 days, when verifying the presence of bony callus by palpation and radiography. The animal only walked at night in the first weeks, and 28 days postoperatively, it began walking in the morning and at night. It showed total recovery at 75 days after surgery.