Experimental Use of Polyamide Bands in Combination with Intramedullary Pinning for Repair of Oblique Femoral Fractures in Rabbits JOSE M. CARRILLO, DVM, PhD, JOAQUIN J. SOPENA, DVM, PhD, MONICA RUBIO, DVM, PhD, JOSE I. REDONDO, DVM, PhD, IVAN SERRA, DVM, and CARME SOLER, DVM Objective—To evaluate the use of polyamide bands, manufactured for securing electrical cables, for repair of oblique femoral fractures in rabbits. Study Design—Experimental study. Animals—Twelve nulliparous, 21–25-week-old, California female rabbits. Methods—Rabbits were divided into 3 groups (n ¼ 4) and studied for 14, 28, or 56 days. A Z- shaped mid-diaphyseal femoral osteotomy was repaired with a 2.5 mm intramedullary pin and a polyamide 6.6 cerclage band. Healing was evaluated at intervals by physical examination, limb use, femoral radiographs, and callus histology. Results—Rabbits had early limb use with good wound healing. From the 1st day, movement of the hip and stifle joints was satisfactory. Radiographically, fractures were healed at 28 days. Histo- logically, there was no foreign body reaction and bone healing was normal. Conclusion—Nylon cerclage band application was accomplished easily, maintained reduction, and resulted in good healing and limb use. Clinical Relevance—Sterilized nylon bands, manufactured for electrical use, can be used for cerclage in rabbits. r Copyright 2005 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons Key words: femur, mid-diaphyseal femoral osteotomy, fracture, nylon band, cerclage, fracture healing, intramedullary pin, rabbit. INTRODUCTION I NTRAMEDULLARY (IM) pins combined with stainless-steel cerclage wire are used to repair oblique or spiral fractures in dogs and cats. 1 Nylon bands have been used to maintain intraoperative fracture reduction during application of permanent fixation and are typi- cally removed before wound closure. 2 Subsequently, nylon bands have been used in lieu of stainless-steel wire cerclage under experimental and clinical conditions, in combination with IM pins, for fracture fixation in different species. 3–5 Although effective for repairing certain fracture types, the use of nylon band cerclage has not gained popularity. 3 Nylon bands, similar in form to the surgical bands but sold for electrical use, and 1 report of nylon cerclage 6 stimulated Funded by an Investigation Staff Formation Grant of the Cardenal Herrera-CEU University. Presented at the XXVII World Small Animal Veterinary Association, Granada, Spain, October 2002, and the XI International Congress of the Sociedad Espan˜ ola de Cirugı´a Veterinaria, Murcia, Spain, March 2002. Address reprint requestes to Jose M. Carrillo, DVM, PhD, Clinic Veterinary Hospital (HCV-UCH), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Health and Experimental Sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, Edificio Seminario s/n, 46130 Moncada, Valencia, Spain. E-mail: jcarrill@uch.ceu.es. Submitted October 2004; Accepted February 2005 From the Clinic Veterinary Hospital, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Health and Experimental Sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, Valencia, Spain. r Copyright 2005 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons 0161-3499/04 doi:10.1111/j.1532-950X.2005.00059.x 387 Veterinary Surgery 34:387–392, 2005