Management of Fracture of Long Bones Using String of Pearls (SOP) Plating Technique in Dogs

The study was conducted in six dogs presented with fracture of long bones to University Veterinary Hospital, Mannuthy and Kokkalai. Pre-operatively fracture was diagnosed by orthopaedic and radiographic examination. Fracture stabilization by open reduction and internal fixation was resorted to in all the six dogs following standard AO principles using 3.5mm string of pearls plates and cortical screws. This resulted in good fracture fixation and immobilization. Radiographic examination revealed periosteal and endosteal callus formation from second post-operative week onwards. Obliteration of fracture line and radiographic union of fracture fragments were evident on sixth post-operative week. Complete radiographic union of fractured bone with minimal callus formation was observed by eighth post operative week in all the cases with stable fixation. The SOP plate application was found to be effective in managing fractures of long bones in dogs with early pain free ambulation.