Anesthesia and surgical management of humeral fracture in the wild swan

Abstract

A wild, unmarked swan with a trauma of the left wing was found in the Belgrade metropolitan area. After a physical and radiographic examination, it was determined that the swan had a fracture of the left humerus. After a one-day stabilization, the swan underwent intervention, stabilization of the left humerus with an intramedullary pin, a plate (LC DCP 2.7 mm) and 8 × cortical rods (2.7 mm). The patient was under complete monitoring during the surgical intervention under general inhalation anesthesia (sevoflurane). According to our knowledge is the first described case of surgical repair of a fractured humerus in a wild swan in Serbia. After the surgical procedure was performed, the wild swan was under constant veterinary supervision. After full recovery, the swan was released at the location where it was found. This case presents the importance of quick and adequate patient evaluation, selection of a proper anesthetic protocol, and importance of postoperative care in avian orthopedic patients.