Haemato-biochemical Response to Kirschner Pin and Improvised Chrome Vanadium Long Screw Used for the Stabilization of Femoral Fracture in Goats

The stainless-steel orthopaedic implants used for the management of various types of fracture internal fixations are very expensive; this makes their utilization in food animals relatively noneconomical. There is a need to have an improvised implant that is cheaper and available for use in food animals to manage complicated fractures requiring open reduction and internal fixation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the haematological and biochemical changes following the reduction of stable femoral fractures in goats using conventional (Kirschner pin) and improvised chrome vanadium-coated long crews. Twelve apparently healthy Red Sokoto bucks were randomly divided into two groups of six (n=6) were used for this study. A transverse femoral diaphyseal fracture was created using orthopaedic wire in both groups. In group A, a conventional Kirschner pin size 4.0x125 mm2, single trocar, non-threaded, was used to immobilize the fracture, while in group B, an improvised test chrome vanadium (long screw) size 2.3 mm was used for the fracture immobilizations. Blood samples were collected before fracture induction at the base line, serving as a control. The haematological and biochemical assessments were performed at 0 weeks (immediate postoperative) and subsequently at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Packed cell volume (PCV%), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cell count (RBCs), white blood cell count (WBCs) and differential leukocytic count (neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes) were evaluated. Also, serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was detected. Besides, serum calcium, phosphorous and creatinine levels were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the two groups in PCV, haemoglobin, RBCs, WBCs and neutrophils, and the values were within the normal range. However, lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly (p < 0.05) different at weeks 2 and 6, respectively. Biochemical parameters revealed significant (p < 0.05) changes in serum ALT (weeks 0, 2, 4), ALP (week 6), creatinine (weeks 10 and 12), and calcium (week 2) at some postoperative intervals. However, no variations were observed in serum AST and phosphorous, which were within the normal range. The improvised chrome vanadium (Long screw) can be used safely in goats for the management of stable femoral fractures without significant adverse changes to hemato-biochemical profiles within twelve weeks.