Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

'''Mandibular fractures''' often occur when animals catch their '''lower jaw''' under a '''manger''' or through a '''ring on the stable wall''' or '''on wire fencing'''. In their panic they pull back and '''avulse''' the lower jaw. Fractures can also occur in the ramus of the mandible, however these are much less common.

'''Mandibular fractures''' often occur when animals catch their '''lower jaw''' for example on ''' wire fencing''', '''the rings on the stable walls''' or under a '''manger'''. Normally the rostral mandible is '''avulsed''' as they try and free themselves by pulling backward. Fractures can also occur in the ramus of the mandible, however these are much less common.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Initially, '''contamination''' of the site should be grossly '''removed''' and then '''lavaged''' with copious amounts of isotonic fluids. Then the fracture can be '''reduced''' and '''stabilised''' on its oral (tension) side by means of '''wires''' placed around the incisors anchored either to the canines or to cortical screws placed in the diastemal region on each side. This should be performed under '''general anaesthesia'''. Due to the high level of contamination, '''antibiotic''' treatment is recommended. Implants should be removed if the fracture is stable after '''6-12 weeks''' to avoid chronic infection.

Initially, '''contamination''' of the site should be grossly '''removed''' and then '''lavaged''' with copious amounts of isotonic fluids. Then the fracture should then be be '''reduced''' and '''stabilised''' using '''wires''' looped around the incisors, which are then anchored either to the canines or to bilateral cortical screws located in the diastemal region. This should be performed under '''general anaesthesia'''. Due to the high level of contamination, '''antibiotic''' treatment is recommended. Implants should be removed if the fracture is stable after '''6-12 weeks''' to avoid chronic infection.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

The prognosis is '''good'''. The superior '''blood supply''' to the mandibular region means that, despite gross contamination, these fractures virtually always '''heal quickly''' and '''without complications''', with an '''acceptable cosmetic appearance'''. This can be compared to open contaminated fracture elsewhere in the body, which, unless they have small fragments that can be removed carry a very guarded, if not hopeless prognosis due to the high incidence of osteomyelitis of the fracture leading to failure of healing.

The prognosis is '''good'''. The excellent '''blood supply''' to the head, in particular the mandibular region means that these fractures almost always '''heal quickly''' and '''without complications''', with an '''acceptable cosmetic appearance''' despite being grossly contaminated. This can be compared to open contaminated fractures elsewhere in the body, which, unless they have small fragments that can be easily removed carry a very guarded prognosis due to the high incidence of osteomyelitis at the fracture site.

==References==

==References==