Vascularisation osteotomated tibia diaphysis of a rabbit in relation to the internal and external fixation

This experimental study aims to prove, on an experimental model of the osteotomated tibia diaphysis of a rah hi U advantages of the external fixation in relation to the internal fixation in terms of better preservation of vascularisation of the tibia diaphysis at the location of the surgery, as well as a less frequent occurrence of post-operative infections. In order to carry out the set objective, osteotomy of the tibia diaphysis below the joint with the fibula was performed in nine out of the rabbits of the Belgian hare breed.The left tibia diaphvch experimental animal was fixated with a specially-made mini-plate with four screvvs, while the right tibia diaphysis was fixated with an external mini fixation. In the post-operative period, the experimental animals were-dressed regularly and an infection of the post-operative wound was registred. On the second post-operative day three experimental animals were sacrificed. The first experimental animal that was sacrificed was the one which had not been operated on, for the purpose of obtaining angiography of unimpaired blood vessels of the rabbit's Iower leg, the "angiographic model". Then, another two experimental animals were sacrificed. After injecting a radiopaque substance by applyng the subtractive techniqe, the angiography of the rabbit's Iower leg made, follo\ving both the internal and the external fixation.The finding was recording on magnetic tape, and then, by a multi-spot camera transferred onto a mono-layer x-ray film. Seven days after the opeFation, the remaining seven experimental animals were sacrificed. By applying the digital subtractive technique, angiographies of ali Iower legs which had been operated on, were made. The angiographies obtained were compared to the " angiographic model", i.e. the angiography of the lower leg of the rabbit which had not been operated on. The analysis of the date obtained of the research showed that occurrence of post-operative infection was registered in two cases only, and those in which the osteotomated tibia diaphysis of the rabbit was treated by applyng the internal fixation method. In addition, a better preserved vascularisation at the location of the tibia diaphvsis osteotomy of the rabbit was established in the cases in which the method of external fixation was applied, as opposed to the cases of internal fixation method application.