Fracturoscopy is comparable to fluoroscopy for intraoperative assessment of fracture apposition during indirect reduction of simulated diaphyseal antebrachial fractures in dog cadavers.

Fracturoscopy is a viable fluoroscopy alternative for intraoperative fracture apposition assessment during minimally invasive diaphyseal fracture repair in dogs.

This cadaveric study evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of needle scope fracturoscopy as an alternative to fluoroscopy for intraoperative assessment of fracture segment apposition during indirect reduction of simulated diaphyseal antebrachial fractures in dogs. Using 19 thoracic limbs from 11 dog cadavers, simulated transverse radial and ulnar fractures were stabilized with 2-ring circular fixators. A blinded surgeon assessed fracture apposition endoscopically in three planes, and findings were compared against fluoroscopic measurements across 59 reduction trials targeting poor, good, or excellent reduction quality. Overall qualitative agreement between fracturoscopy and fluoroscopy was 80.5% (κ = 0.61), indicating moderate-to-substantial concordance. Agreement was strongest in the frontal plane (medial κ = 0.78, lateral κ = 0.72) and weakest in the transverse sagittal plane (caudal κ = 0.07, cranial κ = 0.22). Quantitative displacement measurements were largely comparable between modalities, though fracturoscopy slightly overestimated caudal segment displacement. Reliability notably decreased when reductions were classified as excellent, suggesting limitations when displacement is minimal. The authors conclude that fracturoscopy may serve as a viable intraoperative alternative to fluoroscopy for assessing alignment during minimally invasive stabilization of simple diaphyseal fractures in dogs, particularly in clinical settings lacking fluoroscopic equipment. However, its utility may be limited for complex comminuted fractures where precise multiplanar assessment is critical. These findings support further investigation of fracturoscopy as a practical, accessible tool in veterinary orthopedic surgery.

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