DOI
https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v10i4.722Abstract
Question
In dogs undergoing internal fracture fixation does the use of internal fixation and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) accelerate healing compared to internal fixation alone?
Clinical bottom line
The category of research question was:
Treatment.
The number and type of study designs that were critically appraised were:
Zero.
Critical appraisal of the selected papers meeting the inclusion criteria collectively provide zero/weak/moderate/strong evidence in terms of their experimental design and implementation:
Zero.
The outcomes reported are summarised as follows…
There is no evidence showing that dogs undergoing fracture fixation with any internal fixation method (e.g. locking plates, dynamic compression plates) and BMPs present accelerated healing compared to internal fixation alone. In view of the absence of this evidence, it is recommended that veterinarians should base their treatment choice on their experience in internal fixation methods and BMPs usage, their available materials for the methods, the cost, the potential adverse effects, and the case-specific factors. Therefore, veterinarians should acknowledge that both methods have potential risks and complications.
In view of the strength of evidence and the outcomes from the studies the following conclusion is made…
In dogs undergoing fracture fixation, there is no statistical evidence to support fracture fixation with internal fixation and BMPs as a method that accelerates healing compared to internal fixation alone.
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