Extraction of an infected tusk in an adult African elephant.

Abstract

An 18-year-old African elephant was determined to have a nonrepairable crack in its left tusk. Treatment included extraction of the tusk, using rotational and extractional forces, and administration of antibiotics, followed by 1 year of flushing the opened tusk cavity with warm tap water. Two years after surgery, the elephant was healthy, and the tusk cavity was 80% filled with normal tissue.

• Authors: M Briggs, M Schmidt, D Black, R Roach, J Opdahl, G Stark, D Owens, M Driver
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 192 Issue 10 Pg. 1455-6 (May 15 1988) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3391842 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Animals
• Bacterial Infections (surgery, veterinary)
• Elephants
• Incisor (injuries, surgery)
• Tooth Diseases (surgery, veterinary)
• Tooth Extraction (veterinary)