Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Veterinary Sciences and Practices, cilt.18, sa.2, ss.52-57, 2023 (Scopus)
Comparing the short-term clinical outcomes of a tape splint, and the hybrid intramedullary pin with external fixation procedure (IMEF), a surgical approach, in the treatment of tibiotarsal fractures (TTFs) in budgerigars, and to present predictors of TTFs are objectives of this study. A total of 20 budgerigars admitted to the animal hospital with TTFs, which were treated with either the tape splint (n = 11) or IMEF (n = 9) surgery were material of the study. The treatment outcomes of both methods were compared, along with fracture predictors. The success rate of the IMEF surgery and tape splint were 6/9 (66.7%) and 9/11 (81.8%), respectively. The two methods were found to have similar success rates when compared to each other (odds ratio: 0.44, P = 0.39). The most common fracture location was the mid-shaft of the tibiotarsus for both treatment groups (IMEF: 6/9, 66.7%; tape splint: 7/11, 63.6%). The most common fracture type was oblique fractures in the IMEF surgery group (5/9, 55.6%), while it was transverse (8/11, 72.7%) in the tape splint group. There was a weak correlation (r = 0.41, P < 0.03) between the location of the fracture and the fracture type in both groups. In conclusion, both the IMEF surgery and tape splint methods have similar outcomes. The tape splint method should be preferred as the primary treatment option due to its non-invasive nature during TTFs in budgerigars. The IMEF surgery may be considered for the treatment of dis-placed fractures, but the involvement of the hock and stifle joints should be considered.