The efficiency of the Type II external skeletal fixator for the treatment of tibiotarsus fracture in eight adult White Plymouth Rock chickens was evaluated. The individuals were pre-medicated with morphine sulfate and anesthetized with halothane, and submitted to a diaphysary osteotomy in the left tibiotarsus, performed with an oscillatory saw. Four Kirschner wires were inserted through the bone cortices, being two proximally and two distally to the fracture. After the fracture reduction the ends of both proximal and distal wires were twisted in distal or proximal direction, respectively, being the wires connected by two bars of autopolymerizing acrylic resin, in the external lateral and medial faces of the limb. The return to full capability to use the member was observed in 20.00±7.09 days, and the bone healing occurred in 35.12±8.72 days. The results of this study showed that open reduction and use of Type II external skeletal fixator is an effective method for the treatment of tibiotarsus fractures in White Plymouth Rock chickens.
Fracture; birds; tibiotarsus; orthopedics; external fixator Type II
