A retrospective study of 109 dogs with mandibular fractures

A. M. Kitshoff; H. de Rooster; S. M. Ferreira; G. Steenkamp

doi:10.3415/VCOT-12-01-0003

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

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

¹Section Small Animal Surgery, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa

²Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium

,

H. de Rooster

¹Section Small Animal Surgery, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa

,

S. M. Ferreira

³Savanna Research Unit, Scientific Services, Conservation Services Division, South African National Parks, Skukuza, South Africa

,

G. Steenkamp

⁴Maxillofacial 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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Mandibular - fracture - Classification - molar - open fracture - small breed.

Full Text

References

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