Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2013; 26(01): 01-05
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-12-01-0003
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

A retrospective study of 109 dogs with mandibular fractures

A. M. Kitshoff
1   Section Small Animal Surgery, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
2   Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
H. de Rooster
1   Section Small Animal Surgery, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
,
S. M. Ferreira
3   Savanna Research Unit, Scientific Services, Conservation Services Division, South African National Parks, Skukuza, South Africa
,
G. Steenkamp
4   Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry Clinic, Section Small Animal Surgery, Department Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 04 January 2012

Accepted 05 July 2012

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

Summary

Objective: To determine patient factors and fracture morphology of dogs presented with mandibular fractures to a small animal referral centre in South Africa.

Methods: Patient data on age, sex, breed and aetiology of dogs with mandibular fractures were recorded. The fractures were classified according to the anatomical location, displacement, fracture type, fracture line direction, periodontal pathology, and whether there were teeth in the fracture line or not by evaluation of preoperative radiographs. Clinical observations indicated whether these fractures were open or closed.

Results: In total, 109 dogs with 135 mandibular fractures were included in the study. Small breed dogs and dogs less than eight months of age predominated (102/109). Dog fights were the most common aetiology in this study (68/109). The molar region was the most commonly affected region (56/135). Evaluation of the radiographs revealed that transverse (73/135), relatively unstable (116/135), and displaced (112/135) fractures were the most common. The majority of fractures involved teeth in the fracture line (100/135), with the first molar frequently involved (54/135). The majority of fractures were open (104/135).

Clinical significance: The results obtained from this study may be used to guide patient and fracture morphology selection in biomechanical studies of mandibular fracture repair techniques. Screening of this patient population may inspire the search for new treatment options for mandibular fracture repair in South Africa.

 
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