Use of Porcine Cancellous Bone Graft of Radial Nonunion Fracture in a Dog

A 6-month, 1.3 kg, Yorkshire terrier was referred for treatment of a radial nonunion fracture. The nonunion fracture site had a 40 mm-long defect between both fracture ends, where a porcine cancellous bone graft was implanted. The surgical treatment of the nonunion fracture was accomplished using an external fixator and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The dog had a successful clinical outcome, and a radiographic examination conducted at post-surgery week 16 revealed the incorporation of the porcine cancellous bone graft and the nonunion fracture site by newly formed bone, resulting in a complete union. Porcine cancellous bone graft should be considered as an alternative option to autografts when treating nonunion fractures with segment bones defects. (C) 2011 PVJ. All rights reserved