Clinical outcomes of mandibular body fracture management using wire-reinforced intraoral composite splints in 15 cats

Abstract

The study assesses the use of wire-reinforced intraoral composite splints (WRICS) for stabilising mandibular body fractures in feline patients. It reviews 15 cases treated at a referral centre, focusing on the effectiveness of WRICS in achieving stable fracture repair, occlusion, and patient comfort. The fractures were most commonly between the canine tooth and third premolar (73%). Results indicate that WRICS can provide effective stabilisation with a median healing time of 8 weeks. Normocclusion was achieved in 14 out of 15 cases. Major complications were found in two cases (13%) and were associated with soft tissue ulceration. This study supports WRICS as a minimally invasive, reliable approach to mandibular body fracture stabilisation in cats.

Keywords: composite; fracture; mandibular body; minimally invasive; occlusion; splint; wire.

Figure 1

Photographs of the oral cavity taken under general anaesthesia, illustrating the stout-loop wiring technique (a) and the splint construction reinforced with a light-cured flowable composite (b).

Figure 2

A 3D rendering of head computed tomography scans illustrating Case 8 (pre-operative and post-operative), in which WRICS treatment was performed concurrently with osteosynthesis using a ramus anatomical plate (RAP) to repair a caudal ramus fracture (asterisk).

Figure 3

Photographs of the patient (case 3) showing preoperative (a) and immediate postoperative occlusion (b).

Figure 4

Immediate postoperative intraoral dental radiograph showing WRICS placement. These also reveals incomplete reduction of the ventral mandibular cortex (case 1).

Figure 5

A 3D rendering of head computed tomography scans depicting the most common fracture configuration observed in the studied group of cats: a complete, oblique fracture of the mandibular body located between the mandibular canine tooth and the third premolar (a,b) Case 3. (c) Postoperative CT, 3D rendering image of the skull demonstrates the fracture site at the time of WRICS removal.

Figure 6

Transverse computed tomography (CT) images in bone algorithm demonstrating examples of pre-operative mandibular body fractures (A,B) and post-operative progression of bone healing (arrows), at the time of WRICS removal (A1,B1).

Figure 7

Sharp edges of the intraoral splint may lead to soft tissue and sublingual ulceration, which contributed to postoperative anorexia and pain in two patients (asterisk). Following splint remodelling under general anaesthesia, the anorexia and soft tissue irritation resolved.