Mandibular Fractures - Cat & Dog

Introduction

Mandibular fractures often occur when animals catch their lower jaw under a manger or through a ring on the stable wall. In their panic they pull back and avulse the lower jaw. The fracture is normally open and located in the rostral mandible, caudal to the incisor teeth.

Treatment

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.

Prognosis

The prognosis is good. The superior blood supply to the mandibular region means that, despite gross contamination, these fractures virtually always heal without complications. 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.

References

RVC staff (2009) Urogenital system RVC Intergrated BVetMed Course, Royal Veterinary College

May, SA & McIlwraith, CW (1998) Equine Orthopaedics and Rheumatology Self-Assessment Colour Review Manson Publishing Ltd