Management of equine skull fractures using fixation with polydioxanone sutures.

The research paper discusses a new method to treat severe equine skull fractures using polydioxanone sutures, which have proven to be effective, manageable, and less complicated than other traditional methods such as wire-based fixation or plate fixation.

Objective of the Research

The report documents a study conducted on ten horses suffering from severe skull fractures. The objective was to test the efficiency and effectiveness of a less complex and less expensive treatment using polydioxanone sutures.

Methodology

• The horses presented severe distortion of facial contours, crepitus on palpation, and mild to moderate epistaxis. Other symptoms included ocular damage, ptosis, severe dyspnoea, and movement of facial bones concurrent with respiration.
• The fractures were exposed using a large curvilinear incision. The fragments were elevated with the help of a retractor, a periosteal elevator, chisel, or Steinmann pin.
• After the fragments were elevated and exposed, they were found to be unstable, demanding the application of a fixation process, which was carried out using polydioxanone sutures.

Findings and Conclusion

• The surgical procedure using polydioxanone sutures for fixation provided good stability to the fractured skull bones.
• These sutures were also found to have a better handling property than the traditionally used wire.
• One of the significances of using polydioxanone sutures was the good apposition of the fracture edges, leading to minimal complications in the post-operational phase.
• The sutures proved to be less complex and cost-effective compared to plate fixation methods.

Therefore, the study suggests using polydioxanone sutures for the fixation of severe skull fractures in horses as an alternative to the conventional stainless steel wire method, mainly due to its efficient results and cost-effectiveness.