Surgical repair of skull fractures in four horses using cuttable bone plates.
Abstract: Three horses with severely comminuted, open facial bone fractures and one horse with a comminuted, open orbital rim fracture were referred for treatment. Severe facial bone asymmetry and epistaxis were apparent in all cases and subcutaneous emphysema was present in two, however physical and neurological examinations were otherwise normal. Radiography and endoscopy were of some use in assessing the degree of damage, although the true extent of the damage was more apparent at surgery. Surgical reduction of the fractures was recommended to maximise cosmetic and functional outcome. After surgical debridement and reduction of the fractures the bone fragments remained unstable and were not amenable to stabilisation with interfragmentary wires alone, so 2 mm cuttable bone plates were used to maintain fracture alignment. Screw migration occurred in three horses and in one of these horses the plate had to be removed. Other complications were minor and in all horses the fractures healed with good cosmetic and functional outcome. The use of cuttable bone plates should be considered as a reasonable alternative to inter-fragmentary wiring for unstable, comminuted fractures of the facial bones, even where fractures are open.
Publication Date: 2001-07-04 PubMed ID: 11431995DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb12004.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the surgical treatment of severe skull fractures in horses using bone plates. The study notes that surgery to stabilize the fractures resulted in a successful recovery and good cosmetic outcome for the animals, suggesting bone plates are an effective alternative treatment for these types of injuries.
Research Objectives and Methods
- The study aimed to explore the effectiveness of using cuttable bone plates in repairing severe open facial and orbital rim fractures in horses. A total of four horses with such injuries were referred for this treatment.
- The extent of the injuries was assessed using radiography and endoscopy, although the complete extent only became obvious during the surgery.
- The surgical reduction of the fractures was recommended with an objective to maximize cosmetic and functional outcomes for the animals.
Findings
- Even after surgical debridement and reduction of the fractures, the bone fragments remained unstable and could not be stabilized with interfragmentary wires alone.
- To maintain fracture alignment, 2 mm cuttable bone plates were used. These bone plates stabilized the fractures and provided a framework for bone healing.
- Despite minor complications such as screw migration in three horses which led to the removal of the plate in one, all horses healed well with satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes.
Conclusion
- The results of this study suggest that cuttable bone plates are a viable and effective alternative to interfragmentary wiring for the treatment of unstable fractures of facial bones in horses, even in cases where the fractures are open.
- However, potential challenges such as screw migration should be considered when opting for this method of treatment.
Cite This Article
APA
Dowling BA, Dart AJ, Trope G.
(2001).
Surgical repair of skull fractures in four horses using cuttable bone plates.
Aust Vet J, 79(5), 324-327.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2001.tb12004.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University Veterinary Centre Camden, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2570.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Plates / veterinary
- Facial Bones / injuries
- Female
- Horses / injuries
- Horses / surgery
- Male
- Nasal Bone / injuries
- Orbital Fractures / veterinary
- Radiography
- Skull Fractures / diagnostic imaging
- Skull Fractures / surgery
- Skull Fractures / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Derham AM, Johnson JP, Kearney CM, O'Leary JM. Surgical repair of a depressed, comminuted fracture of the zygomatic process of the frontal bone using a locking compression plate in a Thoroughbred colt foal. Clin Case Rep 2019 Jan;7(1):110-114.
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