Preface

ovide a means of inserting a bone plateo osteosynthesis. In this issuewe includedt uction as well as fracture fixation usingcti ation has been minimally invasive frac-g ider minimally invasive fracture fixationh wrong, as percutaneous nailing wasy However, the technique was not readily. out minimally invasive fracture fixation?a ments in fixation implants and imaging

consistent results with fewer complica-a as fluoroscopy and arthroscopy allow

Minimally Invasive Fracture RepairVet Clin Small Anim 42 (2012) xixii

vetsmall.theclinics.comhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2012.08.007a method of guiding the reduction of the fracture and the application of the implants.New implants such as locking plates facilitate reduction and fixation of fractures, whileandplacing screws ta description of theminimally invasive te

The logical evoluture fixation. Althoua novel approach,already performed bused until the 1990sThe answer is probtechniques allow thetions. Advanced im0195-5616/12/$ see frachievestabilization andechniques of indirect redhniques.on of biologic fracture fixh young surgeons consistory would prove themKuntscher in the 1940s.So, what is really new abbly technology. Improvesurgeon to achieve moreging techniques suchthe fracture fragments. The small incisions prMinimally Invasive Fracture Repair

Brian S. Beale, DVM Antonio Pozzi, DMV, MS

Guest Editors

Fracture stabilization techniques continue to evolve and to provide approaches thatminimize iatrogenic trauma associated with surgery. This issue includes a comprehen-sive look at the current status of treatment of fractures using minimally invasive plateosteosynthesis (MIPO) and minimally invasive surgery. Principles of minimally invasivefracture repair are included as well as case examples of different fracture types of allthe major long bones. The editors sincerely appreciate the efforts of the individualarticle authors as much time and effort were put forth to bring together an issue thatprovides a clear view of the principles and clinical recommendations needed to helpsurgeons develop the skills to successfully manage simple and comminuted fracturesin dogs and cats using minimally invasive fracture repair.

The concept of biological internal fixation has been predicated for yearswith the goalofmaximizing preservation of the blood supply to the fracturedbone. This trend resultedin new implants and new techniques that allowed surgeons to approach fracture fixationwith smaller, less invasive approaches. The principal concept is to gain access to thebone via small incisions away from the fracture zone, thus preserving blood supply toont matter 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

keeping a balance between biomechanics and biology. While bone plates are usedmost commonly for minimally invasive fracture repair, other implant systems suchas the interlocking nail and external fixator can be used with success too.

An obvious question arises: is minimally invasive fracture fixation better than openreduction and fracture fixation? A reasonable answer would be that it depends on thefracture type. The benefits of a minimally invasive approach may be more evident forspecific types of fractures. However, this question can only be answered with well-de-signed future prospective studies. Early studies suggest fracture repair using theMIPO technique benefits the patient by providing less morbidity and accelerated frac-ture healing. With this issue our intention is to present an up-to-date description of thetechniques of minimally invasive fracture fixation used in small animals. We hope thatthis issue will trigger interest andmotivate more surgeons to use these new techniquesand help spawn future techniques that will continue to improve our outcome with mini-mally invasive fracture repair.

Brian S. Beale, DVMGulf Coast Veterinary Specialists

1111 West Loop South #160Houston, TX 77027, USA

Antonio Pozzi, DMV, MS

PrefacexiiCollege of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Florida

2015 SW 16th AvenuePO Box 100126

Gainesville, FL 32610-0126, USA

E-mail addresses:brianbeale@me.com (B.S. Beale)

pozzia@ufl.edu (A. Pozzi)

Minimally Invasive Fracture Repair