Durations of Bone Consolidation and External Fixation After Distraction Osteogenesis in Dogs

Objective To evaluate the influence of epidemiologic, surgical, and mechanical factors on the durations of bone consolidation and external fixation after distraction osteogenesis in dogs. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Sample Population Dogs (n = 115) that had corrective osteotomy with circular external fixation (CEF; n = 152) Methods Medical and radiographic records (1992–2012) of dogs that had corrective osteotomies were reviewed. Putative variables included age, weight, gender, and breed. Surgery date, delay before distraction, rate and duration of distraction, mechanical complications, and frame removal date were recorded. Radiographic data included bone operated, bone length, osteotomy site, bone and limb size at osteotomy site, distraction distance, and CEF frame size and stiffness. Results Mean ± SD bone consolidation period was 56 ± 33 days. Mean duration of external fixation was 77 ± 35 days. Twelve fixation failures occurred. Radii healed faster than tibiae (P