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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2013; 26(01): 82-87
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-12-01-0001
Case Report
Schattauer GmbH

Surgical repair of a tibial fracture in a two-week-old grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)

A.-M. Hespel
1   UCD Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
3   Current Address: Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Sciences, Radiology, Auburn, Alabama, USA
,
F. Bernard
1   UCD Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
4   Current address: Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire St Martin, Unité Chirurgicale, St Martin-Bellevue, France
,
N. J. Davies
2   The Irish Seal Sanctuary, Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland
,
V. Huuskonen
1   UCD Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
,
C. Skelly
1   UCD Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
,
F. David
1   UCD Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 02 January 2012

Accepted 23 July 2012

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objective: To report the successful management of a suspected infected tibial fracture in a common grey seal.

Study design: Case report.

Animal: Female common grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), 2 weeks old, 20 kg.

Methods: A closed, complete, transverse fracture of the left tibial distal diaphysis was debrided, reduced and stabilized using a string-of-pearls (SOP) locking plate covered with polymethylmethacrylate impregnated with gentamicin. Fracture of the ipsilateral fibula was left untreated. Postoperative radiographs were obtained immediately, and at 10 days, three weeks, and six weeks post-surgery, and a computed tomographic examination was performed 2.5 months post-surgery. A species-specific progressive rehabilitation programme was conducted.

Results: Bone healing of both fractures and absence of injury of the distal tibial growth plate were evident on the 2.5 month follow-up examination, and also full range-of-motion of the flipper was preserved and no lameness or difficulty with swimming and hunting were detected. On computed tomography, signs of chronic left coxofemoral and ilial wing trauma were incidentally detected. The seal was released three months postoperatively.

Conclusion: A transverse infected distal fracture of the tibia and fibula in a young common grey seal was successfully managed with the combination of single SOP plating of the tibia, local antibiotic release and a specific rehabilitation programme.

Clinical relevance: Surgical treatment of a long-bone fracture in a wild immature grey seal was successful with a combination of techniques adapted to the species.

Keywords

Seal - infection - fracture - repair - SOP - string-of-pearls plate
 

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