Ligamentum humerocarpale synthetic reconstruction in a bearded screech owl (Megascops barbarus)

Barrueta Acevedo F.M,

Abstract

Damaged or loss ligaments poses a major surgical reconstructive problem. The

conventional method in some species is harvest donor tendons. Synthetic tendons has been

used in tendon or ligament repair, but them are not always available. 

A juvenile bearded screech-owl (Megascops barbarus) was referred to the hospital for

inability to flight and to retract the left wing. Clinical examination revealed severe wing

trauma, with exposure of the ulna and partial loss of the ligamentum humerocarpale. The

animal was anesthetized and the ligament was reconstructed by using a 1 gage nylon suture,

starting with a modified three loop pulley suture to align both remaining ends of the

ligamentum humerocarpale, after that, the thread was woven over itself to reconstruct the lost

part. Immediatly after surgery, the animal was able to retract its wing. Partial

recovery of the flight function was observed at the early clinical evaluation (two weeks),

when the animal was returned to the institution from wich it came, and no complication was

noticed at this moment. Traumatic wing ligaments injuries in birds are a serious

concern. Such injuries if remain untreated can make the bird flightless as them are an integral

component of the wings extension and flexion control mechanism. Early medical care for

such injuries improves their prognosis. The injured ligamentum humerocarpale in present case

was treated early, and the remaining surrounding tissues still were viable, so the recovery was

successful at the moment the patient left the hospital.

Keywords: Wing trauma, ligament loss, synthetic repair, Megascops barbarus