Management of an open comminuted fracture of the metacarpus using circular external skeletal fixation in a Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyopus)

A Korean water deer was rescued after being hit by a motor vehicle. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed a grade III open fracture of the right metacarpus with severe soft tissue injury. The water deer underwent closed reduction of the fracture, which was stabilized by the application of the Ilizarov method of 4-ring circular external skeletal fixation (CESF) as a minimally invasive technique. The water deer was successfully released into the wild. CESF was advantageous for the stabilization of open comminuted fracture and the management of a severely contaminated wound in a Korean water deer. CESF can be used successfully in wild deer with good tolerance and minimal complications.