Minimally invasive metatarsal fracture repair with locking plates in a guanaco (lama guanicoe)

An open grade I transverse diaphyseal fracture of the metatarsal bone in a 5-yr-old female guanaco (Lama guanicoe) was successfully stabilized with a locking plate system which is a minimally invasive approach. A conical coupling screw-plate locking system with 3.0-mm-thick plates and 3.5-mm locking head screws was applied after closed and indirect reduction of the bone segments, with an orthogonal configuration of the plates. The implants were protected postoperatively with a splinted bandage. The fracture healed without complications, the limb function was successfully recovered and no major complications were observed at the 2-year follow-up. The surgical procedure was carried out with biological internal fixation supports and an adequate functional union within a time period similar to that reported for this species following other fracture fixation methods. This case highlights the potential benefit of combining minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and plate-locking systems for fracture repair in camelids.