Equine Head and Mandibular Injuries Treated using Craniofacial Polyaxial Locking Plates or Absorbable Polymer Implants: Six Cases

Fractures involving the head and mandible of equidae are sporadic and usually result from high-force, acute, blunt trauma. Most fractures are open, contaminated and subject to cyclic movement that can impede fracture healing. Methods used to treat them include conservative, tension band and cerclage wiring, screws, internal and external fixation with plates and fixators. We describe six horses with facial or mandibular fractures that underwent repair using titanium craniofacial conforming plates and self-tapping locking screws, or a bioabsorbable polymer implant. Horses ranged in age from 12 to 20 years of mixed breed and were used for hacking or athletic pursuits. All horses underwent clinical appraisal and CT imaging to plan treatment. In three horses implants were placed with the horse anaesthetised and three cases underwent surgery conscious, with sedation analgesia and regional analgesia. Five cases were treated using locking CMF plates with 3.5 mm self-tapping polyaxial locking screws. One case had an absorbable polymer implant fixed using ultrasonic welding to repair a frontal defect. Plates were left in situ but two horses had individual screws removed. All horses recovered from surgery healed and resumed work. Case 6 healed from the repair but experienced a recurrence of a cyst-like lesion.

Acknowledgment

Consumables and ultrasonic unit for case 6 loaned by VetWelding AG, Muehlebach 2, CH-6362 Stansstad/NW, Switzerland.

Publication History

Article published online:
15 July 2025