USE BOVINE CORTICAL BONE, PRESERVED IN 98% GLICERIN IN FEMORAL OSTEOTOMY IN CATS.

Abstract

Cortical xenografts derived from bovine boné and shaped as intramedullary nails, with 4mm of width and 10cm or lenght, preserved in 98% glycerol for a minimum of 30 days were used as the sole method of internal fixation for transverse osteotomy of feline femoral diaphysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinically and radiographically the efficacy of xenografts as a substitute for methalic implants. Animals were divided into two groups: five young cats and five adult cats. Clinically, the weight-bearing on the operated limb was observed the day after surgery in all animals, with complete remission of lameness at 15 days and bone union in 16.6 weeks. In five young animals, in two of them, the grafts were fractured carrying a serious bone bending without fracture of feline femur. In the last two young cats, remodeling was noted in mean time of 75 days or 10.7 weeks. In five adult cats, all of them suffered overriding of the fragments of osteotomized bone with various degrees, where two cases were considered severe cases dut to fracture of feline femur without bone bending. In the three remaining animals with slightly overriding, one was a case of delayed union, one suffered tow surgical procedures due to graft fracture and one did not show a radiographic exuberant bone callus, with remodeling at 110 days. The use of the bonive xenograft preserved in 98% glycerol in young and adult cats used as intramedularry nails was perfectly employed, offering mechanical support in time of bone consolidation in all of 10 animals.

KEY WORDS: Cortical bovine graft, cats, femur, fracture, osteotomy.