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The aim is to describe a modified technique for repairing jaw fractures and report on its clinical outcomes.

July 11, 2026Equine Veterinary Journal0 citations

Maxillary and mandibular fracture repair using a modified bis‐acryl reinforced interdental wiring technique: Description of the technique and report of 11 cases

AWAlexandra L. WrightCornell University ABAshton BromanRood and Riddle Equine Hospital NCNaomi E. ChieroNewmarket Equine Hospital

Key Points

The aim is to describe a modified technique for repairing jaw fractures and report on its clinical outcomes.
Retrospective analysis of medical records from three universities and private practices (2018-2025)
Cases included equine mandibular/maxillary fractures treated with wire-reinforced bis-acryl composite interdental splint
Follow-up imaging was conducted at time of appliance removal.
Eleven horses were included, with nine mandibular and two maxillary fractures.
Appliance was in place for an average of 8.9 weeks; complications were minor and resolved easily.
All cases showed favorable outcomes upon appliance removal.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Repair options for maxillary and mandibular fractures in horses are dictated by the proximity of dentition, fracture configuration, and implant design. Jaw fractures can be repaired by minimising tension forces via intraoral splint constructs when dentition is present on either side of the fracture line. This repair option reduces iatrogenic damage to dentition while achieving reduction and stability until appliance removal. OBJECTIVES: To first report a modified technique for jaw fracture repair in horses with cadaveric example images. Second, to report the clinical outcome of maxillary and mandibular fracture repair in clinical cases of horses that were treated with a modified wire-reinforced bis-acryl composite interdental splint with tubing (MWIST). STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective clinical case series. METHODS: Medical records from three university hospitals and three private practices were searched for cases of equine mandibular or maxillary fractures treated with the MWIST technique from 2018 to 2025. Animals included in the study underwent oral examination, skull radiography or computed tomography, fracture repair with MWIST, and follow-up imaging at time of appliance removal. RESULTS: Eleven horses met the inclusion criteria. Nine cases involved fracture of the mandible and two involved fracture of the maxilla/premaxilla. Eight cases had fracture configurations that involved adjacent dentition. Appliances remained in place for an average of 8.9 weeks (median 8 weeks, range 6-20 weeks). Complications were generally minor and readily resolved, including wire loosening or breakage and bone sequestration. MAIN LIMITATIONS: The main limitation to this study is the multi-institutional retrospective nature, which limits standardisation across diagnostic and surgical procedures, patient follow-up, and inclusion of a control group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of this modified repair technique in horses is feasible, cost effective, and biomechanically advantageous. The favourable outcome of all cases followed to appliance removal supports the application of this surgical technique on future equine jaw fracture cases.

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