Fracture Analysis of Wild Birds in South Korea
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
pISSN 1598-298X / eISSN 2384-0749 J Vet Clin 36(4) : 196-199 (2019) http://dx.doi.org/10.17555/jvc.2019.08.36.4.196 Fracture Analysis of Wild Birds in South Korea Hyun-Kyu Jang, Jong-Moon Park, Sohail Ahmed, Seong-Hoon Seok*, Ho-Su Kim** and Seong-Chan Yeon1 Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul Wildlife Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea *Daegu Animal Medical Center, 36, Dongdaegu-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42185, Korea **Busan Wildlife Treatment Center, 1240-2, Nakdongnam-ro, Saha-gu, Busan 49435, Korea (Received: April 05, 2019 / Accepted: August 10, 2019) Abstract : This study was conducted to evaluate and analyze fractures types, sites and surgical approach of wild birds in Korea. The study was conducted on data collected for fracture lesion sites, species, outcomes, surgical methods, treatments and medical records from wildlife centers in South Korea. All birds were subjected to clinical examination, followed by surgical invasion and post-operative care. Fractures were more common in adult non-raptor species (51.57%) as compared to raptors (48.43%). Of the 254 cases evaluated, maximum cases comprised ulnar fractures (29.70%), followed by radial (21.76%) and humeral fractures (17.35%). Treatment procedures at 340 fracture sites were maximally treated with figure-8 bandage (33.07%), external skeletal fixator-intramedullary pin (ESF+IM tie-in fixation) (20.86%), and other varied procedures. All birds were kept indoors till recovery. Treatment outcomes were dependent on the type of bone fractured and surgical method applied. Based on the surgical treatments and outcomes, birds were kept hospitalized, and released or euthanized. The findings of this study provide information for veterinarians regarding the fractures sites, basic database for the species and outcomes of fracture repair in wild birds. Key words : birds, raptors, fracture repair, figure-8 bandage, wildlife. Introduction and incorporate non-invasive surgical techniques for wild birds (5). To select an appropriate and adaptable technique, A number of practical considerations need to be accounted data was collected from 3 wildlife centers. We evaluated site for with wildlife than with domestic animals. Since wildlife and type of fractures, distribution of fracture sites according have no owner to provide financial support for their needs, to the species, and outcomes of fracture managements. veterinarians who provide surgical care for wildlife have to Few studies have described and reported types of fractures also consider the post-operative care (9). Avian orthopedic in wildlife (14,15). The current study aimed to evaluate the techniques vary from mammalian procedures in several types of fractures in raptors and non-raptors, to assess the ways. Avian bones are thinner, more brittle, and pneuma- prevalence of fracture by considering the bone involved, and tized which are connected to air sacs (4). Because of these to help veterinarians in identifying treatment methods avail- reasons, many fractured avian bones tend to be comminuted able with their outcomes. and open fractures (11). These fractures are found in multi- ple bones such as the humerus, femur, radius, and ulna; Materials and Methods often, these are complex fractures consisting of multiple bones of the joint (2). We collected bird fracture data from Seoul, Gyeongnam, Numerous wild migratory birds exist in South Korea. Every and Busan wildlife centers, for the period February 2016 to year, a dozen to hundreds of birds are accepted in wildlife November 2018. Totally, 254 birds with 340 fracture sites centers presenting with bone fractures (6). Cage rest, cast and that received surgical correction were evaluated in this study. stent are frequently used for light injuries. In case of severe The collected data include species, number of cases, fracture injuries, internal and external fixation are recommended (1,3). lesion, treatment, and outcome of surgical invasion. As a wild bird has weaker bone strength compared to mam- The investigation was based on patient records maintained mals, and numerous vessels exist in the bone lacuna, frac- at the wildlife centers. Data was categorized according to the tures may prove to be much more critical and mortal for birds bones involved, i.e., skull, hind limbs, forelimbs, fused verte- (13). Since wild avians are more vulnerable to injury and an brae, and joints of birds. Details of data retrieved were arranged insanitary environment, even simple wounds can prove be in order of skull, coracoid, scapula, clavicle, humerus, radius, life threatening. Fortunately, clinicians are trying to develop ulna, femur, carpometacarpus, tarsometatarsus, tibiotarsus, digit, notarium and synsacrum. Considering the age, all frac- tures were categorized into 2 groups: juvenile and adults. 1Corresponding author. Surgical techniques or methods used to repair fracture and E-mail : [email protected] the prognosis of surgeries were evaluated considering their 196 Fracture Analysis of Wild Birds in South Korea 197 relevant outcomes, i.e., union, non-union, malunion, osteo- tiple fractures were also investigated; these include the notar- myelitis, appliance failure, and amputation of affected body ium, synsacrum and skull (0.29% each), as presented in part of the bird. Table 2. Ventrodorsal radiograph of comminuted left radial Different surgical treatments were implemented; these and ulnar fractures are shown in Fig 4A and 4B. include figure-8 bandage, IM pinning, ESF + IM pin (tie-in fixation), splint, interdigital bandage, and ball bandage. Age and taxonomy Depending on the type of surgical invasion, site of fracture, Broadly, there are two categories with respect to age: juve- and outcome of treatments, the birds were categorized as nile and adult birds. Fracture percentage was greater in adults hospitalized, euthanized, death during hospitalization and (88.18%) as compared to juvenile birds (8.82%). surgery, or reintroduced into wild habitat. All records were Taxonomy of birds is widely differentiated in 2 categories: maintained according to the aim of the study. raptors and non-raptor species. The percentage of fracture in non-raptor species (51.57%) was higher than raptors (48.43%). Results Surgical methods for treatment Species distribution Different surgical methods are employed to treat fractures From data collected at the wildlife centers, 254 cases com- in birds. These include ball bandage, cage rest, digit ban- prising 60 different species underwent surgical repair of bone dage, figure-8 bandage, IM pin, ESF + IM pin (Fig 2A, 2B), fractures. Considering the species, Common kestrel (Falco splint, and tape splint. Treatments for the 254 birds evalu- tinnunculus) were the maximum (Fig 1A), followed by ated include cage rest, figure-8 bandage, IM pinning, ESF + Northern boobook (Ninox scutulata); distribution of the most IM pinning, splint, tape splint, interdigital bandage, and ball abundant species is given in Table 1. bandage. Of these, the figure-8 bandage was mostly fre- Location of fracture Table 1. Most abundant species with different bone fractures According to the data, most fractures sites were related to treated at wildlife centers the forelimbs (ulna 29.70%, radius 21.76%, humerus 17.35%; Number Fig 1B), followed by tibiotarsus (8.82%), coracoid (7.05%), Common name Scientific name of cases carpometacarpus (5%; Fig 3A, 3B), femur (3.52%), and other rare cases of fractures in digits, coracoid, scapula and tar- Common kestrel Falco tinnunculus 40 sometatarsus. Pictorial representation of a humeral fracture Northern boobook Ninox japonica 22 prior to surgery is shown in Fig 1B. A few cases having mul- Eurasian sparrow hawk Accipiter nisus 17 Brown-eared bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis 14 Rock dove Columba livia 13 Cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus 10 Common buzzard Buteo buteo 09 Large-billed crow Corvus macrorhynchos 08 Eurasian eagle owl Bubo bubo 08 Grey heron Ardea cinerea 06 Great egret Ardea alba 06 Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo 05 Table 2. Location of fracture Location of fracture No. of patient affected Percentage Skull 001 000.29% Coracoid 024 007.05% Scapula 005 001.47% Clavicle 004 001.17% Humerus 059 017.35% Radius 074 021.76% Ulna 101 029.70% Carpometacarpus 017 005% Femur 012 003.52% Tibiotarsus 030 008.82% Tarsometatarsus 005 001.47% Digit 006 001.76% Fig 1. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). (A) Picture of wild Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). (B) Common Kestrel Notarium 001 000.29% (Falco tinnunculus) with fractured left humerus prior to surgical Synsacrum 001 000.29% invasion at the wildlife center. Total 340 100% 198 Hyun-Kyu Jang, Jong-Moon Park, Sohail Ahmed, Seong-Hoon Seok, Ho-Su Kim and Seong-Chan Yeon Fig 2. Humeral fracture in Common Kestrel (Falco tinnuncu- Fig 4. Radial and ulnar fractures. (A) Ventrodorsal radiograph of lus). (A) Post-operative picture of bird showing surgical repair Northern Boobook (Ninox japonica), revealing comminuted left of left humeral fracture with tie-in fixation using ESF + IM pin. radial and ulnar fractures. (B) Ventrodorsal radiograph of Little (B) Ventrodorsal radiograph showing surgical repair of the left Egret (Egretta garzetta), revealing comminuted left radial and humeral fracture with tie-in fixation using ESF + IM pin. ulnar fractures. Table 3. Treatment of fracture Treatment No. of cases Percentage Cage rest 046 018.11% Figure-8 bandage 084 033.07% IM pinning 053 020.86% IM pin + ESF (tie in) 053 020.86% Splint 003 001.18% Tape splint 011 004.33% Interdigital bandage 003 001.18% Ball bandage 001 000.39% Total 254 100% Table 4. Outcome during and after treatment Outcome No. of cases Percentage DOA 003 001.81% Hospitalized 013 005.12% Released 081 031.89% Euthanized 029 011.41% Dead 123 048.42% Pending 005 001.96% Total 254 100% Fig 3. Carpometacarpal fracture in Common Kestrel (Falco tin- quently applied in 84 cases (33.07%). IM pinning and ESF + nunculus). (A) Ventrodorsal radiograph revealing comminuted IM pin followed with 53 cases (20.86% each).