Symphyseal fractures are repaired using '''circumferential wire'''. A skin incision should be made in the ventral mandible. The wire (0.5-0.7mm gauge - dependant on the size of the animal) should then be guided around the lateral borders of the mandible using an 18G hypodermic needle. The fracture should be aligned and the wires tightened by twisting them together using '''wire-tightening pliers'''. The wire is then cut short and places flush with the skin. The skin incision closed with a single suture. Healing occurs in '''5-7 weeks''', at which point the wire can be removed.
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Symphyseal fractures are repaired using '''circumferential wire'''. A skin incision should be made in the ventral mandible. The wire (0.5-0.7mm gauge - dependant on the size of the animal) should then be guided around the lateral borders of the mandible using an 18G hypodermic needle. The fracture should be aligned and the wires tightened by twisting them together using '''wire-tightening pliers'''. The wire is then cut short and placed flush with the skin. The skin incision is closed with a single suture. Healing occurs in '''5-7 weeks''', at which point the wire can be removed.