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

Summary 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.