Facial bone fracture repair using ultrasound‐aided pin fixation of resorbable plates in two horses

Summary This report describes the application of a resorbable implant (Resorb‐Vet) made of poly‐(DL) lactide (PDLLA) for the repair of a maxillary fracture in one horse and a nasal bone fracture in another. The horses were positioned in lateral recumbency and the fracture was reduced. An absorbable plate was moulded to the bone and fixed with PDLLA pins, which were attached to an ultrasonic device and inserted into predrilled holes by ultrasonic vibrations. Once the pins contacted the bone, the ultrasonic vibrations caused liquefication of the PDLLA, which infiltrated the bone and solidified after the ultrasonic vibrations ceased. Immediate primary stability was achieved with this technique. Both horses recovered well, were discharged without complications and returned to their previous level of activity.