Use of a Novel External Skeletal Fixation System (Exvet) for Long Bone Fracture Stabilization in Young Cats

Abstract To describe the use of a novel external skeletal fixation (ESF) system for long-bone fracture stabilization in 30 cats. Medical records of consecutive cases with femoral, tibial, humeral, and antebrachial fractures in cats, repaired with the Exvet ESF system at two different academic institutions between September 2022 and December 2023, were included. Data were collected regarding signalment, surgical approach, weight of Exvet frame, postoperative complications/additional treatments, days to dynamization, days to ESF removal, radiographic evaluation, and clinical outcome. Thirty cases met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 23.5 months (range: 2 months to 13 years), and the mean body weight was 3.7 kg (range: 750 g to 7.35 kg). Fracture distribution was 56.6% tibial, 23.3% femoral, 13.3% antebrachial, and 6.66% humeral. Reduction was achieved in 63.3% of fractures in a closed fashion, 23.3% were reduced by a limited open approach, and 13.3% were fixed in an open fashion. The median weight of the ESF frames was 27.8 g (range: 13–42.5). The mean time to ESF removal was 32 days (range: 16–63 days). Full functional outcome was achieved in 79.9% of cases, 16.6% had an acceptable outcome immediately after ESF removal, and in 3.3% the outcome was unfavorable. Our findings show that the novel Exvet ESF system seems a safe and effective option for mini-invasive treatment of long-bone fractures in young cats.