Use of rotational periosteal flaps in primary repair of sinofacial fractures in seven horses.

The study discusses the use of rotational periosteal flaps for repairing facial fractures in horses, which were primarily operated upon within a day of the injury. It concludes that this procedure results in good cosmetic outcomes and horses resuming their previous activities.

Objective of the Research

• The main objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of using rotational periosteal flaps in the primary repair of facial fractures in horses.

Research Methodology

• The study analyzed the medical records of seven horses that underwent surgeries for fractures extending into the paranasal sinuses between April 2009 and May 2017.
• The injuries were due to kicks from other horses, collision with a tree, or unknown causes.
• The fractures were evaluated based on their location in either the right or left maxillary bone, the left frontal and left nasal bones, or the right frontal bones.
• Most of the fractures were accompanied by open wounds except for one case.
• The surgery conducted involved reduction, stabilisation, and coverage of the fracture with a rotational, periosteal flap.

Results

• Post the reduction of the fracture, all the horses had a deficit in the fractured facial bones.
• Four horses experienced complications following surgery.
• Despite complications, all the horses had excellent cosmetic outcomes, and they were reported to have returned to their previous level of activity as per the owners’ information.

Conclusion

• The use of a rotational periosteal flap in repairing sinofacial fractures resulted in good cosmetic outcomes.
• The study suggests that this method may be especially beneficial if the fracture is accompanied by loss of bone.