Retrograde long bone intramedullary pinning in wing fractures of the common buzzard

Abstract

Three common buzzards (Buteo buteo) were brought to the veterinary emergency hospital in Cluj-Napoca with right wing trauma, inflicted by a car accident and multiple gunshot wounds. Clinical and Rtg examination were used to diagnose one humeral and two radio-ulnar fractures in the right wing. The fractures were reduced by using the simple intramedullary retrograde pinning technique, adapted to the requirements of the pneumatic avian bones. Radiological tests were performed at 3, 7 and 21 days postoperatively. The X-rays showed callus formation and healing processes. However, because of complications (paresis, muscular atrophy and osteomyelitis), the flight capacity could not be restored in all 3 cases. This is the first case series of right wing fractures, caused by gunshot and car accident trauma, to be reported in Romania. The orthopedic technique used had proved its effectiveness in healing long bone fractures, but due to presence of osteomyelitis, excessive fracture mobility and the sectioning of the radial nerve, the main objective, i.e. regaining flight capacity, was reached in only one patient.