Introduction

Mandibular fractures are common in cats, representing 14.5% of fractures identified.¹ Symphyseal fractures are reportedly the most common mandibular fracture,¹ but these are frequently accompanied by caudal fractures affecting the ramus and body of the mandible.

Fractures of the caudal part of the mandible are often associated with malocclusion (Figure 1), and stabilisation of these fractures is difficult.² Access to the fracture site is challenging and the bone of the ramus is thin, ranging from about 1.5 mm in its central part to 3.5 mm at its leading rostral edge.

Figure 1

Cat with right-sided caudal mandibular fracture demonstrating lateral deviation of the mandibles towards the side of the fracture

Various techniques have been reported for repair of mandibular fractures including circummandibular cerclage wiring, intraoral wire and acrylic splints, maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF), interfragmentary wire, external fixators, bignathic encircling and retaining device (BEARD), and internal rigid fixation (IRF) using mini-plates and screws.^234–5

Caudal mandibular fractures affect the mandibular body, ramus and condyle caudal to the mandibular first molar. Application of an intraoral splint is not possible as there are no teeth caudal to the fracture to allow fixation. Circummandibular cerclage wiring is only suitable for the fixation of symphyseal or parasymphyseal fractures. MMF and BEARD are both techniques advocated for caudal fractures and can be used successfully. However, both techniques are associated with a high degree of patient morbidity during the period of inter-arcade fixation. Problems include: difficulty with thermoregulation, long duration of hospitalisation and assisted feeding, and increased risk of aspiration of food or regurgitated stomach contents.^3,567–8 As BEARD does not involve fracture reduction and rigid fixation there is greater potential for post-fixation malocclusion than for rigid MMF.² Rigid MMF requires breaking of the fixation for intubation following induction for follow-up imaging, which carries risks of tooth fracture and requires reapplication of the fixation if the fracture healing is inadequate.³ Inter-fragmentary wiring is not suited to the thin, fragile bone of the feline ramus. Similarly, much of the bone of the ramus is unsuitable for the use of external fixators owing to the poor pin bone interface, leading to premature pin loosening and pull-out.³

In humans and larger dogs the ramus has a relatively large, slightly curved surface that is accessible surgically and which lends itself to stabilisation using IRF with plates and screws. This provides accurate fracture reduction and construct stability.^3,9 In cats, plate fixation is more difficult owing to small bone size, the need for greater contouring of implants and the difficulty in achieving accurate anatomical reduction during implant application, because of the small fragment size and small surface area of the fracture surfaces.

The advantages of IRF in the treatment of mandibular fractures are the accurate restoration of normal anatomy and occlusion and rapid return to normal function. The aim of this paper is to evaluate a new, previously unreported technique, utilising three-dimensional (3D) printing, presurgical plate contouring and a preformed template to aid screw placement.

Case description

The medical records of two cats that presented to the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Department of Eastcott Referrals, Swindon, UK, in July and August 2017 were reviewed.

Diagnosis of caudal mandibular fracture was based on clinical examination and CT scan. Transverse 0.625 mm collimated CT images using a Lightspeed 4 (GE Healthcare) CT scanner with kVp of 120 and auto-mA were obtained for both cats before surgery, immediately postoperatively and then 36 weeks (cat 1) and 6 weeks (cat 2) postoperatively to assess the progression of bone healing. Both cases had fractures extending from the rostral margin of the ramus, close to its junction with the mandibular body, to the caudal extent of the ramus either immediately dorsal or ventral to the neck of the condyle (Figure 2a,b).

Figure 2

(a) Three-dimensional reconstruction of CT scan of cat 1 with an horizontal comminuted fracture of the mandibular ramus. (b) Three-dimensional reconstruction of CT scan of cat 2 showing fracture of the zygomatic arch and horizontal fracture of the mandibular ramus

Prior to fracture fixation, both cats were treated in a similar manner. Nutritional requirements were calculated and given using a high-energy convalescence support diet (Convalescence Support; Royal Canin) via an oesophageal feeding tube.

A preoperative CT scan of each cat was used as a template to print a 3D model of the complete lower jaw using a nylon selective laser sintering EOS P1 printer (Figure 3). The model of the caudal mandibular fracture was then disassembled to separate the fracture fragments. The mandible model was then reconstructed and the fracture fragments fixed in position using a light-cured dental composite (Figure 4a). A seven-hole 1.0 mm stainless steel reconstruction bone plate was contoured to conform to the ramus at its rostral edge and extend to the ventral margin of the caudal mandibular body. The plate was fixed to the model using 1.0 mm stainless steel screws with a 0.25 mm pitch. A second shorter plate (in cat 1 a three-hole 1.0 mm stainless-steel plate and in cat 2 a four-hole 1.0 mm stainless steel T-plate) was also contoured to conform to the fracture caudal to the first plate and fixed to the model (Figure 4b).

Figure 3

Three-dimensional printed models of the right and left mandibles of a cat with a caudal jaw fracture

Figure 4

(a) Three-dimensional (3D) printed model of the left mandible of a cat with a caudal jaw fracture following reduction and fixation of the fracture using dental composite. (b) 3D printed model of the left mandible of a cat with a caudal jaw fracture following application of two 1 mm stainless steel plates. (c) 3D model of the dorsal fracture fragment with stainless steel template attached in position. (d) 3D model of dorsal fragment and stainless steel template with screw holes marked

The plates and screws were removed from the reconstructed 3D model leaving the screw positions marked by the screw holes. A stainless-steel template was then made to fit exactly over the dorsal fracture fragment and the position of the screw holes was marked (Figure 4c,d) The contoured plates, screws and stainless steel template were autoclaved ready for surgery.

Pre- and postoperative analgesia was achieved with buprenorphine (Buprenodale; Dechra) 0.02 mg/kg IV q6h and meloxicam (Metacam; Boehringer Ingelheim) 0.05 mg/kg IV q24h. Premedication was with fentanyl (Fentadon; Dechra) 0.002 mg/kg IV and ketamine (Narketan; Vetoquinol) 0.5mg/kg IV. Both patients were induced with alfaxalone (Alfaxan; Jurox) 3 mg/kg IV and maintained on isoflurane (Isoflo; Zoetis) delivered in oxygen by a modified Ayre’s T-Piece circuit. A constant rate infusion of ketamine 1 mg/kg/h and fentanyl 0.0025 mg/kg/h was given intraoperatively.

Both cats were prepared for surgery in lateral recumbency and a standard surgical approach made to the ramus. The masseter muscle was elevated from its lateral aspect to allow application of the plate. The pre-contoured stainless steel template was placed precisely over the dorsal mandibular fragment (Figure 5) and stabilised in position using Allis tissue forceps. Four drill holes were made in the dorsal fragment in the position marked on the template.

A seven-hole 1.0 mm pre-contoured stainless steel plate was then fixed to the dorsal fragment using 1.0 mm cortical screws.

The plate was used to manipulate the dorsal fragment and anatomically reduce the fracture so that the contour of the plate adapted perfectly to the ventral fragment. The plate was held in position with bone-holding forceps and screw holes drilled and screws placed in the ventral part of the ramus to complete attachment of the plate. The second pre-contoured plate was then positioned and secured with screws (Figure 6). The surgical site was closed routinely.

Figure 5

Placement of the stainless steel template over the dorsal mandibular fragment during caudal mandibular fracture repair

Figure 6

Surgical site with two 1 mm stainless steel plates attached to the lateral aspect of the mandibular ramus

A postoperative CT scan was performed to assess the accuracy of the reduction (Figure 7a,b) and the occlusion checked prior to recovery from anaesthesia.

Figure 7

(a) Sagittal CT view of left mandible of cat 1 showing anatomical reduction of the caudal mandibular fracture using two 1 mm stainless steel plates. (b) Sagittal CT view of left mandible of cat 2 showing anatomical reduction of the caudal mandibular fracture using two 1 mm stainless steel plates

Postoperative CT scans showed excellent anatomical fracture reduction in both cases. This resulted in excellent postoperative occlusion in both cats.

Cat 2 started eating within 24 h of the surgery. Cat 1 appeared to have normal jaw function and movement and allowed palpation and movement of its jaws postoperatively, but was reluctant to eat. Further investigation (blood profiles, abdominal ultrasound scan and liver aspirate) confirmed a diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis. This cat was fed via an oesophageal feeding tube until it ate voluntarily 59 days after the surgical procedure.

Discussion

These cases document a technique that was used to successfully treat caudal mandibular fractures in two cats.

CT scanning helps the clinician to gain excellent understanding of the configuration of caudal mandibular fractures. However, there are limitations associated with rendering 3D anatomy into a two-dimensional representation, which affects the understanding of the spatial relationships of fracture fragments.¹⁰ A significant part of the decision-making regarding the placement and contouring of implants has to be performed intraoperatively. Final decisions about implant placement and contouring are time-consuming and subjective. When using non-locking neutralisation plates, poor plate contouring and consequent poor adaption of the plate to the underlying bone increases the risk of plate failure.¹¹

Production of 3D models to facilitate fracture fixation is an established technique that offers surgeons a precise, custom model facilitating a better surgical plan and preoperative plate contouring. This reduces surgical time and plate handling.^10,12 To our knowledge, these are the first documented cases where 3D modelling has been used to facilitate the fixation of caudal mandibular fractures in cats. Both surgical planning and preoperative plate contouring were beneficial in these cases reducing surgical time and improving the accuracy of the anatomical reduction of the fractures.

One of the challenges in anatomical reduction of caudal jaw fractures in cats is the manipulation of small, thin, fragile bone fragments and maintaining them in reduction while a plate is being applied. This technique allowed the application of the plate to the dorsal fracture fragment prior to fracture reduction and then use of the pre-contoured plate itself to reduce the fracture correctly. The use of a template ensured the plate was attached to the dorsal fracture fragment in the same position as on the 3D model, which facilitated very accurate anatomical reduction of the fracture. This is important, as failure to achieve accurate anatomical fracture reduction may cause malocclusion.⁹

The rostral edge of the ramus is around 3.5 mm thick, reducing to about 1.5 mm thick in its central part. Screw performance is strongly correlated with bone quality.¹³ It is suggested that at least 1–2 mm of bone thickness is required to place screws for a neutralisation plate,^2,9,14 and that the thickness of the bone should be at least twice the thread pitch distance of the screw.¹¹ This technique allowed accurate screw placement to ensure screws were placed into the best quality bone. The rostral border of the ramus has been shown to be subject to tensile stress patterns and compressive stress patterns exist on the caudal border. This suggests the rostral border of the ramus is the best bone surface for plate placement to obtain 3D stability.^9,11

A second plate was used in both cats. This was placed parallel to the rostral plate in the central part of the ramus and ensured excellent 3D reduction and better support. There is evidence in human jaw surgery that application of a second plate helps to neutralise bending, shearing and torsional forces in mandibular fractures, especially when the mandible is loaded.^9,15

Cat 2 started eating very soon after surgery. Cat 1 had a prolonged period of anorexia associated with hepatic lipidosis. In both cats the range of jaw movement and jaw function appeared to be normal following recovery from surgery. Hepatic lipidosis is a rare sequel a to jaw fracture in cats and this is the only instance seen by the authors. It is likely that it was associated with a short period of anorexia following the initial trauma, and highlights the importance of maintaining adequate nutrition in these patients.

In a study of 75 mandibular fractures complications occurred in approximately 60% of cats with mandibular body and condylar fractures and the most common complications were malocclusion and soft tissue infection.¹ Along with fracture healing and analgesia, restoring normal occlusion is a prime objective of jaw fracture repair. Failure to accurately reduce caudal mandibular fractures can result in significant deviation of the rostral segment, which can prevent full closure of the mouth because of malocclusion.¹⁶ The technique reported in these cases allowed accurate anatomical fracture reduction and restoration of normal occlusion (Figure 8a,b).

Figure 8

(a) Postoperative picture of cat 1 showing occlusion. (b) Postoperative dorsoventral view of cat 1, showing mandibular symmetry and occlusion

Conclusions

The use of 3D printed models, presurgical plate contouring and a patient-specific preformed template to aid screw placement and fracture reduction in two cats enabled accurate fracture reduction and the restoration of normal occlusion. This technique facilitated a rapid return to normal function and provides an alternative technique for the fixation of caudal mandibular fractures in cats.