The use of cerclage wire for surgical repair of unilateral rostral mandibular fracture in horses

Fractures of the rostral mandible in horses are the most common type of jaw fractures. The present study was performed for stabilization of rostral mandibular fracture with cerclage wire. In a retrospective case series, six client-owned horses with unilateral mandibular fractures were admitted to our clinic and suffered from a major gingival wound at rostral part of mandible. Rostral mandibular fracture was diagnosed through clinical examination and radiography. Fractured region was repaired by cerclage wire under the effect of general anesthesia and wires were maintained for 6-12 weeks. The repair of mandibular fracture by cerclage wiring exhibited good fracture reduction and fixation in five horses and fair results in one horse. After twelve weeks, the fracture healing was excellent practically and cosmetically. Furthermore, the horses appeared normal without any evidence of teeth-related mastication problems, obstinate fracture-site fistula, or extreme callus formation. Radiographically, cerclage wire achieved good fracture fixation and fracture gap closure. Moreover, the formation of uniting callus was noticed at 6-12 weeks post-operatively. It was concluded that, unilateral mandibular fracture in horses can successfully be repaired by interdental wiring (IDW). All horses were returned to their usual activities without any fracture healing-related masticatory problems at the time of follow-up.