Biomechanical evaluation of acrylic external skeletal fixation in dogs and cats.

Acrylic external skeletal fixators (ESF) were compared with Kirschner ESF in biomechanical tests. A 2-cm unilateral acrylic ESF was found to be superior to medium Kirschner ESF in compression and shear loads. Acrylic ESF performed as well as Kirschner ESF in torsion loads. Acrylic ESF were used on 11 dogs and cats for repair of long bone fractures, for arthrodesis, or for immobilization of joints following ligament or tendon surgery. There were no complications associated with the use of acrylic ESF. Acrylic ESF offers the advantage of reduced cost, improved versatility, and simplified application technique when compared with Kirschner ESF.