Use of a Pinless External Fixator for Unilateral Mandibular Fracture Repair in nine Equids

Abstract

PEF is an alternative technique for stabilizing unilateral mandibular fractures in equids.

Conservative Management of Unilateral Fractures of the Mandibular Rami in Horses

“…Surgical intervention is recommended when there is instability. 1,2,[4][5][6][7] However, the present study shows that clinically acceptable results can be obtained with conservative management of horses with a range of unilateral mandibular fractures. Although the degree of fracture instability could not be retrieved from the medical records, 15 of the fractures were displaced to varying degrees on radiography.…”

“…This compares favorably with the literature on postoperative management of surgically treated horses. 1,[4][5][6][7] Open fractures result in some degree of osteomyelitis at the fracture site during the healing period. [1][2][3] Of the 16 horses with open fractures, 9 developed fistula formation at the fracture site with a draining cutaneous wound.…”

“…Surgical techniques for repair of mandibular fractures include both internal and external fixation. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Most descriptions are in textbook chapters or case series without controls, with limited clinical evidence of the value of surgical treatment. 8 Conservative management has been described in textbooks but clinical reports on the results of management are lacking.…”

External Unilateral Fixator of Own Design for the Treatment of Selected Mandibular Fractures in Horses

“…Fractures of the mandibular body pose the greatest challenge to a practitioner among all mandibular fractures. The majority of them are opened, which makes their treatment much more difficult [3,8,9]. Depending on location and fracture configuration, the following surgical methods can be used: Wire loops in the oral cavity, wire loops enforced with synthetic materials, screws, Ushaped plate placed in the oral cavity, transmandibular Steinmann pins, steel plates (DCP, dynamic compression plates; LCP, locking compression plates) [10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Mandibular fractures in horses

“…Using an acrylic side bar system covered by a foam padding provides stable fixation of the pins and reduces the risk of injury or damage to the construct. An alternative system is the AO/ASIF pinless ESF system recently described in a case series of equine patients suffering from mandibular fractures (Haralambus et al . 2010).…”