Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom

Coracoid fractures are a frequent presentation in wild birds, commonly due to collisions with motor vehicles, windows, or other obstacles such as pylons. Despite this, there are few literature reports of outcomes, and those published consist of small numbers of animals, with conflicting results when...

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Main Authors: Cracknell, Jonathan M., Lawrie, Alistair M., Yon, Lisa, Hopper, Jane S., Pereira, Yolanda Martinez, Smaller, Eve
Format: Article
Published: Association of Avian Veterinarians 2018
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/45264/
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author Cracknell, Jonathan M.
Lawrie, Alistair M.
Yon, Lisa
Hopper, Jane S.
Pereira, Yolanda Martinez
Smaller, Eve
author_facet Cracknell, Jonathan M.
Lawrie, Alistair M.
Yon, Lisa
Hopper, Jane S.
Pereira, Yolanda Martinez
Smaller, Eve
author_sort Cracknell, Jonathan M.
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Coracoid fractures are a frequent presentation in wild birds, commonly due to collisions with motor vehicles, windows, or other obstacles such as pylons. Despite this, there are few literature reports of outcomes, and those published consist of small numbers of animals, with conflicting results when comparing conservative management with surgical intervention. Outcomes of 232 adult wild birds in the United Kingdom (UK), surviving more than 48 hours after admission, with only closed unilateral coracoid fractures confirmed on radiography were retrospectively analysed. There was a high success rate for conservative management, with 75% (95% confidence interval of 69-80%, n=174/232) of all birds successfully released back to the wild. The proportion of raptors successfully returned to the wild was even higher at 97% (95% CI 85-99%, n=34/35). A statistically significant difference of 26% (95% CI of 18-34%, Fishers exact test p<0.001, Z=6.08) was demonstrated, when comparing the raptor outcomes (97% success, n=34/35) to the non-raptor outcomes (71%, n=140/198). The median time in captive care until released back to the wild was 30 days (95% CI 27-33 days). Conservative management of coracoid fractures in wild birds in the UK, and in particular in raptors, appears to result in good outcomes. The approach is low cost and non-invasive, in contrast to surgery, and is recommended as the first line approach of choice in these cases.
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spelling nottingham-452642024-08-15T15:27:06Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/45264/ Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom Cracknell, Jonathan M. Lawrie, Alistair M. Yon, Lisa Hopper, Jane S. Pereira, Yolanda Martinez Smaller, Eve Coracoid fractures are a frequent presentation in wild birds, commonly due to collisions with motor vehicles, windows, or other obstacles such as pylons. Despite this, there are few literature reports of outcomes, and those published consist of small numbers of animals, with conflicting results when comparing conservative management with surgical intervention. Outcomes of 232 adult wild birds in the United Kingdom (UK), surviving more than 48 hours after admission, with only closed unilateral coracoid fractures confirmed on radiography were retrospectively analysed. There was a high success rate for conservative management, with 75% (95% confidence interval of 69-80%, n=174/232) of all birds successfully released back to the wild. The proportion of raptors successfully returned to the wild was even higher at 97% (95% CI 85-99%, n=34/35). A statistically significant difference of 26% (95% CI of 18-34%, Fishers exact test p<0.001, Z=6.08) was demonstrated, when comparing the raptor outcomes (97% success, n=34/35) to the non-raptor outcomes (71%, n=140/198). The median time in captive care until released back to the wild was 30 days (95% CI 27-33 days). Conservative management of coracoid fractures in wild birds in the UK, and in particular in raptors, appears to result in good outcomes. The approach is low cost and non-invasive, in contrast to surgery, and is recommended as the first line approach of choice in these cases. Association of Avian Veterinarians 2018-03-01 Article PeerReviewed Cracknell, Jonathan M., Lawrie, Alistair M., Yon, Lisa, Hopper, Jane S., Pereira, Yolanda Martinez and Smaller, Eve (2018) Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom. Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 32 (1). pp. 19-24. ISSN 1082-6742 http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.1647/2016-195 doi:10.1647/2016-195 doi:10.1647/2016-195
spellingShingle Cracknell, Jonathan M.
Lawrie, Alistair M.
Yon, Lisa
Hopper, Jane S.
Pereira, Yolanda Martinez
Smaller, Eve
Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom
title Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom
title_full Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom
title_fullStr Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom
title_full_unstemmed Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom
title_short Outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the United Kingdom
title_sort outcomes of conservatively managed coracoid fractures in wild birds in the united kingdom
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/45264/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/45264/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/45264/