Dual Effects of Camel Bone Bony Shuttle Pin as Splint for Femoral Fractures and the Bone Marrow of Goats

Abstract

Bony pin splints were obtained from slaughtered camel metacarpal bone and used successfully as intramedullary shuttle pin splint for repair of induced femoral fractures in 12 Goats without any additional external splint. Round pins were made from metacarpal bone of healthy and freshly Slaughtered camel. The bones were cleaned properly and cut with an electric saw into proper width slats, and then with an electric grindstone. Different sizes of pins were made with notch in one of its ends. The bony Shuttle pins were wrapped in papers and autoclaved for 30 min. at 121ċ. Pins of different lengths and diameters were sterilized and some of these Splints were re sterilized many times and kept in a closed surgical drum ready to be used. After choosing the proper size and length of the bony pin, reaming of the proximal and distal segments of the femur was performed. Bony pin was hocked with no 1 nylon thread, held with an artery forceps and then introduced into the proximal segment, then reduction and alignment of the fractured femur is done. Pin is pulled into distal segment to about half of its length estimated from the nylon thread which is hocked into the notch of the bony pin. Procaine penicillin powder is sprayed on the fractured area, then the wound closed by simple continuous suture using absorbable suture (Catgut no 2/0) to approximate the fascia lata, and the skin was sutured with simple interrupted stitches using No 2/0 Surgical silk. The healing of femur fracture was evaluated on the basis of clinical, radiographic and hematological observation. The clinical observations such as rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rates were recorded for 7 consecutive days, and found within the normal range in all goats. The surgical wounds healed by primary intention in all the operated animals. The partial weight bearing by operated limb was obtained in 7 ± 3 post-operative days and the complete weight bearing was recorded in 28 ± 3 post-operative days. The radiograph made after the operation and then at (2, 4, 6, and 8) weeks intervals showed a well-organized external bridging of fracture gap by a firm callus in all goats. The hematological studies such as hemoglobin level, total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, PCV, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils count were within the normal range. The bony shuttle pin splints did not elicit any untoward reaction at the site of fracture during the period of the healing process.

Clinical and radiographical follow-up of these cases showed that this type of splint is effective for immobilization of the diaphyseal femoral fractures in goats without any detrimentaleffects on the bone marrow.