Bilateral iatrogenic [corrected] maxillary fractures after dental treatment in two aged horses.

The research article discusses two cases where aged horses suffered bilateral, or mirrored, fractures in their upper jaw bones following dental treatment. The temporary breaks were treated by wiring the affected areas and both animals recovered as expected. The study also suggests that certain preventative measures, such as sedation or nerve blocks, could lower the chance of such fractures.

Research Context

• The researcher deals with the case study of two aged horses that experienced bilateral maxillary fractures during their dental treatment. These fractures occurred under the care of a veterinarian.
• The problem encountered is quite rare, but there is still a risk, particularly in older horses due to their brittle bone structure.

Fracture Description

• The fractures that occurred were rostral (toward the mouth), transverse (crosswise), and complete bilateral maxillary fractures, affecting both sides of the upper jaw in the same way.
• Despite these fractures, the displacement, or moving of the bone parts from their usual position, was minimal, and the level of instability was also manageable.

Treatment Method

• Both horses were placed under general anesthesia to minimize discomfort and facilitate treatment.
• The veterinarian handled the fractures by implementing bilateral intraoral wiring, essentially using wires in the mouth to hold the broken jaws together.

Post-Treatment Observations

• The horses didn’t have any complications during the postoperative period.
• The fractures were observed to have healed as expected, showing that the chosen treatment method was effective.

Preventative Recommendations

• In light of these incidents, the article suggests the use of appropriate sedation and, if necessary, regional nerve blocking during dental treatments to minimize the risk of such iatrogenic (doctor-caused) fractures occurring.
• The document also proposes that general anesthesia be considered when occasional situations require the extraction of teeth in horses that are difficult to restrain for the process.