title: Miniplate 1.5 fixation for the repair of mandibular osteotomies in cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the application of the maxillofacial miniplate 1.5 in the repair of unilateral mandibular osteotomies in cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve adult cats were divided into two groups. In group 1 (n=6), the osteotomy was performed in the body of the mandible, behind the 1(st) molar. In group 2 (n=6), the osteotomy was performed between the 4(th) premolar and 1(st) molar. The osteotomy was fixed with a titanium miniplate 1.5. Oral alimentation was reinitiated 24 hours after surgery. Cats were euthanized at 12 weeks postoperative.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiographs taken 1 week after surgery showed a radiolucent line. The osteotomy line was not more visible on the radiographs taken at 12 weeks postoperative. Macroscopic examination confirmed alignment and bone union of operated hemimandibles. Histological examination showed formation of woven bone within the osteotomy line. The percentage of bone tissue at these areas was measured by the histometry. There was no statistically significant difference between the values of group 1(75.07 ± 5.99) and group 2 (74.76 ± 8.54) (Mann-Whitney's test p= 0.469).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that the use of miniplate 1.5 for the fixation of mandibular osteotomy in cats provided the main goals in the treatment of mandibular fractures: bone union, normal dental occlusion and immediate return to oral alimentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinics, Surgery and Animal Reproduction, UNESP, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil. adelinasilva@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Adelina Maria da
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Wilson Machado de
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Patrícia de Athayde
authors.initials: Pde A
authors.lastname: Barnabé
authors.forename: Marion Burkhardt de
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Koivisto
authors.forename: Nair Trevizan Machado de
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Souza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates; D002415:Cats; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium