Fracture Analysis of Wild Birds in South Korea

This study was conducted to evaluate and analyze fractures types, sites and surgical approach of wild birds in Korea. The study was conducted on data collected for fracture lesion sites, species, outcomes, surgical methods, treatments and medical records from wildlife centers in South Korea. All birds were subjected to clinical examination, followed by surgical invasion and post-operative care. Fractures were more common in adult non-raptor species (51.57%) as compared to raptors (48.43%). Of the 254 cases evaluated, maximum cases comprised ulnar fractures (29.70%), followed by radial (21.76%) and humeral fractures (17.35%). Treatment procedures at 340 fracture sites were maximally treated with figure-8 bandage (33.07%), external skeletal fixator-intramedullary pin (ESF+IM tie-in fixation) (20.86%), and other varied procedures. All birds were kept indoors till recovery. Treatment outcomes were dependent on the type of bone fractured and surgical method applied. Based on the surgical treatments and outcomes, birds were kept hospitalized, and released or euthanized. The findings of this study provide information for veterinarians regarding the fractures sites, basic database for the species and outcomes of fracture repair in wild birds.