title: Internal fixation of severe maxillofacial fractures in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe internal fixation for maxillofacial fractures using titanium miniplates and report outcome in 7 dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skeletally mature dogs (n = 7) with maxillofacial fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  After CT evaluation of fracture configuration, using a combination of extraoral and intraoral approaches as needed, non-locking titanium miniplates were contoured to match the normal anatomy of the fractured bones. Plates were secured using non-locking titanium screws and then covered with a soft-tissue envelope followed by routine intraoral and extraoral closure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fractures healed rapidly after reconstruction with immediate return to normal function and occlusion. Follow-up time of up to 94 months indicated excellent long-term function and general lack of complications. One dog developed nasal aspergillosis 1.5 years after surgery and the miniplates were removed without adverse consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internal fixation for maxillofacial reconstruction using titanium miniplates is an excellent solution for the treatment of comminuted and displaced maxillofacial fractures in dogs.
authors: Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.
authors: Boaz
authors: B
authors: Arzi
authors: Frank J M
authors: FJ
authors: Verstraete
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000662:veterinary*; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000662:veterinary; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000662:veterinary*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000662:veterinary; D014025:Titanium; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium