Abstract
This textbook was written mainly for small animal practitioners as a handbook and guide to external fixation. In practice, however, its clear and simple explanations of the principles of external fixation may be useful to veterinary students and those studying for post-graduate qualifications. The contributing authors represent the USA and the UK bringing together their diverse experience and knowledge in this textbook.
The book is divided into two major sections. The first section (12 chapters) introduces the basics of external fixation, indications for external fixation use, the various different external fixation systems and pre- and post-operative care. The detailed chapters on peri-operative care including evaluation of post-operative radiographs and recheck examinations were only one of the main attributes of this section, guiding the reader to methodically assess the frame construct at re-examination, progress of the repair and future planning. The emphasis on the practical application of the different external fixation systems (Chapters 4–8) is very useful to the small animal practitioner.
The second section contains a series of case studies involving the application of different ESF constructs to specific bones and joints in dogs and cats. Each case study was clearly laid out under headings of clinical presentation, surgical planning, fracture repair and evaluation, follow-up evaluation, second follow-up evaluation. The case studies were also complimented by a full set of post-operative and follow up radiographs, including what the authors refreshinglydescribe as “warts and all”. These practical examples of the information provided in the first section helps the reader to glean the maximum information on the theory and application of external fixation.
It is difficult to make any criticism of this excellent textbook. However, more case presentations on the application of external fixation in cats would have been beneficial to the balance of the second section. As this is a textbook on external fixation in Small Animal Practice, perhaps a chapter on application of external fixation in exotic animals would be useful to the small animal practitioner.
This is a well organised, easy to read and comprehensive textbook, which has achieved its goal in aiding small animal practitioners to improve their knowledge and technique of external fixation.