Extraction of an infected tusk in an adult African elephant.
An 18-year-old African elephant was determined to have a nonrepairable crack in its left tusk. Treatment included extraction of the tusk, using rotational and extractional forces, and administration of antibiotics, followed by 1 year of flushing the opened tusk cavity with warm tap water. Two years after surgery, the elephant was healthy, and the tusk cavity was 80% filled with normal tissue.
Briggs
M
M
Wildlife Safari, Winston, OR 97496-0231.
Schmidt
M
M
Black
D
D
Roach
R
R
Opdahl
J
J
Stark
G
G
Owens
D
D
Driver
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004606:Elephants; D007180:Incisor / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000662:veterinary*