Choice of ESF Kit

Re: Choice of ESF Kit

jose targa — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:01:27 GMT

[quote user="David Beattie"]

I agree looks impressive , I particularly like the picture of the pigeon with a fixator applied to the wing

[/quote]

Thanks for your comment, that´s my own reported case!.

I´ve been using the Meynard clamps since i started to work. I think it´s easyer to use than other systems, a good idea to get in touch with external fixation.

Re: Choice of ESF Kit

Rob Loxley — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:20:33 GMT

[quote user="David Beattie"]

[quote user="robloxley"]

Vet Inst have a new Standard Fixator system which seems to be similar to (?a copy of) the IMEX SK system. Can add more clamps midway, stronger clamps, thicker bars and carbon bar option makes radiography a bit easier and are somewhat lighter weight. Securos seems similar but single bolt for bar and pin.

[/quote]

I only have a 2010 catalogue to hand, but assume this is probably the one on p.80 which is just referred to as 'Linear Fixator'. I would be interested to know how this compares directly to the IMEX-SK, both in terms of use and frame stiffness.

[/quote]

The 2011 catalogue is online as a pdf, or go to http://vetinst.com/product.php?productid=7629&cat=859&page=1

Re: Choice of ESF Kit

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:53:10 GMT

Thanks Malcolm! Really helpful

I am not biased, but thought your book is excellent - I can also recommend it to anyone using Ex Fix in practice - haven't come across much of interest that's been written since (on basic GP use of linear fixators), but did want to check that hadn't been any major revelations in fixator design in the last 10 years that I should be aware of.

Re: Choice of ESF Kit

Judith Joyce — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:11:48 GMT

Malcolm Ness posting under Judy's log-in again.

The ability to add or subtract clamps inta-operatively is a huge advantage and one that should be considered a "must have". That means your choice of Ex Fix probably lies between Securos and Imex - these are the two market leaders internationally and the hard-ware that has been most intensively researched and published. I have used both and currently favour the Imex - it is a little more complicated in design but very well engineered and robust. Standard negative thread pins and smooth pins are best avoided as the failure rates are relatively high and those failures are easily avoided with good pins and good technique. Recently, Imex have introduced a taper-thread pin which performed extremely well in mechanical tests and early clinical experience is encouraging - these pins look like negative thread ("Ellis") pins but are engineered to be stiffer and stronger and without a failure-prone stress riser.

In addition, Imex sell a range of threaded pins in small sizes suitable for exotics etc. These are best used in conjunction with acrylic connecting bars - you can use the pre-packed "APEF" (Innovative Animal Products) acrylic kit or, for very small patients, I use DIY shop expoxy putty - the stuff that comes in two-coloured rolls which are massaged together to start the hardening polymerisation reaction.

In short, I would suggest Imex for most cases and a stock of small pins and epoxy putty for tinies and exotics.

Some years ago, I co-authored a book on SA Ex Fix with two US surgeons, Prof Karl Kraus and Prof Jim Toombs and although I am obviously biased, I would recommend this to anyone using Ex Fix in practice.

PS. Declaration of Interest: I have no commercial attachment to Imex or Animalcare though I have been paid by Imex (and some of the other ex fix companies) to teach courses.

Re: Choice of ESF Kit

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:03:11 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

What are you looking for from an upgrade?

[/quote]

Probably just a modern, stiffer construct allowing placement of less complicated frames in fractures with lower fracture healing scores etc. I liked the IMEX-SK feature of being able to add and subtract clamps directly to the connecting bar, and found the system reasonably straight-forward.

[quote user="robloxley"]

If you want to use +ve threaded pins then there is the KE plus system, which is otherwise the same as the standard KE, so existing bars can be used, and old style clamps used up if using -ve thread pins.

[/quote]

I think I prefer the advantage of the IMEX-SK over KE plus of being able to add extra clamps to the connecting bar after initial placement; I think the KE plus system is no different from the original KE system in this respect.

[quote user="robloxley"]

[/quote]

Re: Choice of ESF Kit

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:52:55 GMT

I agree looks impressive , I particularly like the picture of the pigeon with a fixator applied to the wing

Unfortunately I can't see much chance of a return on the kit investment for an 'exotics' ESF as my past case-load of surgical fixation in these species is, I think, zero...

Other kits in the VetInst catalogue I had ruled out were the 'Vumex'', 'FESSA', 'Meynard' and 'APEF'.

Re: Choice of ESF Kit

Rob Loxley — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:49:54 GMT

[quote user="David Beattie"]If updating from a standard K-E kit[/quote]

What are you looking for from an upgrade?

Interestingly, apart from the ring-ESFs, the recent cases that have come back from our local referral centre have had KE plus systems.

Re: Choice of ESF Kit

jose targa — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:00:53 GMT

Hi, what do you think about the vetinst "Leonardo System" it´s a micro ESF for exotic and very small patiens. Looks wonderfull.