Conservative Management of Unilateral Fractures of the Mandibular Rami in Horses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To report the outcome of conservative management of unilateral fractures of the mandibular rami in horses. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 24 client-owned horses with unilateral mandibular fractures METHODS: Medical records (January 2000-January 2014) of horses with unilateral mandibular ramus fractures were retrieved. Only conservatively managed horses with follow-up information were included. Follow-up information on clinical outcome was retrieved from the medical records (n=11) or obtained by telephone interviews with the owners or trainers (n=13). RESULTS Twenty-three horses (96%) returned to their previous or intended use and had no clinically evident masticatory or fracture healing-related problems at the time of follow-up. The owner of 1 horse (4%) reported it had tooth loosening, feed impaction, and masticatory problems. CONCLUSION Conservative management of unilateral fractures of the mandibular rami is a treatment option in horses.