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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Polyaxial pedicle screw external fixation to stabilize obliq...
Veterinary surgery : VS2021; 50(3); 659-667; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13587

Polyaxial pedicle screw external fixation to stabilize oblique mandibular fractures in three standing, sedated horses.

Abstract: To report the radiographic, surgical and postoperative features in horses with unstable oblique mandibular fractures secured with polyaxial pedicle screws (PPS) external fixation construct and intraoral wiring. Methods: Three client-owned horses. Methods: Short case series. Methods: Two horses each had a unilateral fracture, which did not improve after conservative management, and one horse had bilateral fractures. Clinical and radiographic features were documented. Polyaxial pedicle screw external fixators and intraoral tension band wiring were applied in standing horses after combining sedation and regional nerve anesthesia. Intraoral wires were implanted through a lateral buccotomy between teeth (two horses) or burred through exposed crown (one horse) and then secured around the incisors. The PPS were inserted under radiographic guidance to avoid tooth roots. Healing was assessed with radiographic examination. The PPS external fixator rod and intraoral wires were removed first. The mandible was manipulated, and, if it was stable, the PPS were removed. Results: Implants were removed at 6, 8, or 10 weeks after the mandibles were palpably stable. Complications included broken wires in one horse, bone sequestration in one horse, and infection in one horse. Follow-up communication with the owners 12 to 18 months later confirmed complete healing without further complications of the fractured mandibles or teeth. Conclusions: Polyaxial pedicle screw external fixation led to fracture healing and a return to function in all three horses. The complications encountered did not preclude a successful outcome. Conclusions: Polyaxial pedicle screw external fixation coupled with intraoral wiring provides an alternative to treat unstable equine mandibular fractures without general anesthesia.
© 2021 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2021-02-19 PubMed ID: 33606294DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13587Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study investigates the use of polyaxial pedicle screws external fixation for treating oblique mandibular fractures in horses, with positive results, despite some complications.

Methodology

  • The study is based on the cases of three horses with unstable oblique fractures of the mandible (jaw).
  • Two of the horses had a unilateral fracture that did not improve with conservative management, while the third had fractures on both sides.
  • After sedating the horses and applying regional nerve anesthesia, the researchers applied polyaxial pedicle screw fixators and intraoral tension band wiring while the horses were standing. This allowed for more precise application and reduced stress on the animals.
  • The intraoral wires were implanted through a cut in the side of the mouth between the teeth for two horses, or drilled through the crown of a tooth in the third. These were secured around the incisors for stability.
  • The polyaxial pedicle screws, used to stabilize the broken bone, were inserted under radiographic guidance to avoid damaging the tooth roots.

Results

  • Healing was monitored by radiographic examination. Once the jaw was palpably stable, the external fixator rod and intraoral wires were removed first, followed by the polyaxial pedicle screws.
  • The implants were able to be removed after 6, 8, or 10 weeks, depending on the horse, indicating that the fractures had healed sufficiently.
  • There were complications in these cases, including broken wires in one horse, bone sequestration (isolation of a section of bone due to interference with its blood supply) in another, and infection in the third horse.
  • Despite these complications, follow-up communication with the owners after 12 to 18 months confirmed complete healing of the fractured mandibles and teeth, with no further problems reported.

Conclusions

  • The polyaxial pedicle screw external fixation technique led to the healing of all fractures and a return to function for the affected horses. This suggests this method may be a viable alternative for treating unstable equine mandibular fractures.
  • While there were some complications, these did not prevent a successful outcome in any of the cases.
  • By combining this technique with intraoral wiring, the researchers provided a possible alternative treatment method for unstable equine mandibular fractures that avoids the need for general anesthesia.

Cite This Article

APA
Nelson BB, Easley J, Steward SKT, Smanik LE, Koch DW, Rawlinson JE, Easley JT. (2021). Polyaxial pedicle screw external fixation to stabilize oblique mandibular fractures in three standing, sedated horses. Vet Surg, 50(3), 659-667. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13587

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 3
Pages: 659-667

Researcher Affiliations

Nelson, Brad B
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Easley, Jack
  • Easley Equine Dentistry, Shelbyville, Kentucky.
Steward, Sara K T
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Smanik, Lauren E
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Koch, Drew W
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Rawlinson, Jennifer E
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Easley, Jeremiah T
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Wires / veterinary
  • External Fixators / veterinary
  • Fracture Fixation / veterinary
  • Horses / injuries
  • Male
  • Mandibular Fractures / veterinary
  • Pedicle Screws / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Çetin MN, Şirin YS. Stabilisation of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and luxations in cats with a polyaxial screw/rod system. J Small Anim Pract 2025 Oct;66(10):708-716.
    doi: 10.1111/jsap.13879pubmed: 40320832google scholar: lookup
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