Miniplate reconstruction of severely comminuted maxillary fractures in two dogs.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the treatment of severely comminuted maxillary fractures that resulted in separation of the maxilla from the base of the skull in 2 dogs. The structural areas of support, identified by thicker areas of bones of the skull, were used as a guide to apply buttress plate fixation, with miniplates using these apparent structural buttresses.

STUDY DESIGN:

Case report.

SAMPLE POPULATION:

A 1-year-old Borzoi and a 5-year-old German shepherd dog.

RESULTS:

Fractures were repaired in a single procedure that resulted in excellent postoperative occlusion, immediate function, and cosmetic result. Healing was uneventful. Full function and excellent cosmetic appearance were still evident at 5 years, and the miniplates have not been removed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Long-term outcome appeared to justify surgical reconstruction of these severely comminuted fractures with miniplate methods similar to those used in human maxillofacial surgery. Miniplates were easily contoured 3-dimensionally and placed along apparent lines of buttress support. Miniplate fixation provided a simple method to secure the bone fragments with excellent stability while maintaining both bony and soft tissue stability.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Severely comminuted maxillary fractures in the dog may be repaired with miniplate fixation, using fixation principles identical to those used for similarly complex fractures in human maxillofacial surgery.

• Authors: Randy J Boudrieau
• Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS (Vet Surg) 2004 Mar-Apr Vol. 33 Issue 2 Pg. 154-63 ISSN: 0161-3499 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15027977 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Animals
• Bone Plates (veterinary)
• Dogs (injuries, surgery)
• Female
• Fracture Fixation, Internal (methods, veterinary)
• Fractures, Ununited (diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery, veterinary)
• Injury Severity Score
• Male
• Maxillary Fractures (diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery, veterinary)
• Radiography