Surgical management of a bilateral mandibular fracture in a foal using LCPs as external fixator

This report describes the use of locking compression plates (LCP) as external skeletal fixators (ESF-LCP) in the surgical repair of a bilateral open mandibular fracture in a foal. A 3-week-old 90-kg Swedish Warmblood colt presented with reluctance to nurse, bilateral mandibular swelling and haemorrhagic discharge from the mouth. Clinical examination and radiographs revealed a fracture of both mandibles, with complete fracture anatomy defined by computed tomography (CT). The right mandible had a complete, displaced, open fracture between the deciduous premolars Triadan 806 and 807. The left mandible had a minimally displaced, comminuted fracture in the caudal aspect of the interdental diastema (705–706). Both mandibles were surgically repaired using narrow 4.5 mm LCP plates as external skeletal fixators (ESF-LCP) under general anaesthesia. The ESF-LCPs were removed 36 days post-operatively after radiographic healing was observed. Three months post-operatively repeat radiographs were performed showing no abnormalities of the mandibular or dental function. At 3 years of age, a routine dental examination was performed that showed normal occlusion and function of the mandible with only a mild external callus. The use of LCP plates as ESF-LCP in a bilateral mandibular fracture in a neonatal foal resulted in an excellent outcome and complete fracture healing with minimal complications.