Abstract
Most of the mandibular fractures occur as a result of accidents, kicks, or falls. The treatment of fractures located in the incisor region is quite successful with the use of the wiring method. Fractures that occur within the body of the mandible are more complicated. Some of them are open and infected and involve the cheek teeth, which makes treatment quite challenging. In these cases, using bone plates mounted directly on the bone would constitute poor technique. External skeletal fixators can be a good alternative for treatment of complicated fractures. In this article we present the construction and the possible use of a unilateral external fixator dedicated for the treatment of mandibular body fractures. The fixator consists of one rod having a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 20 cm, four booms, four connectors, and four self-threading apex pins with a diameter of 6 mm. Stainless steel was used in the production of the fixator. The device has been successfully used for the treatment of open mandible fractures. The stabilizer is light and is small in size, simple to use, and easily assembled and disassembled. It can be adjusted in three planes.
Highlights
Complex fractures of long bones that consist of many bone fragments often lead to euthanasia
The main aim of the article is to present a novel idea involving the construction of a unilateral externalexternal fixatorfixator of ourofdesign intended for the treatment of selected fractures of mandibular body in our design intended for the treatment of selected fractures of mandibular body in horses
Two cases involving fracture of the left mandibular body where the premolar and molar teeth were involved in the fracture line, and one case of comminuted tibial fracture in a four-month-old foal
Summary
Treatment of some bone fracture cases in horses is difficult. Due to a large variety of bones and their different sizes and shapes, there is no universal method that could be used in treatment of fractures. Complex fractures of long bones that consist of many bone fragments often lead to euthanasia. Fractures need to be stabilised well in order to achieve bone union. External fixators could become an acceptable solution. Unilateral fixators provide the least stabilisation, but they are the easiest to use and do not disturb normal everyday functioning of an animal. The others are a lot more complex. This is why unilateral fixators stabilise bone fragments to a greater extent. A very extensive structure fixated externally, interferes with the normal functioning of a horse
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