Segmental (Central) Maxillectomy Using a Piezoelectric Surgery Unit in a Dog.

Piezoelectric surgical units operate with a vibration in the range of 25 to 35 KHz, offering several advantages including high precision, selective cutting of bone while limiting damage to the surrounding soft tissues, less trauma to neurovascular tissues, reduced hemorrhage, and improved healing. Manual bone-cutting instruments operate at a high speed and can lead to thermal injury to the bone, severe damage to blood vessels, nerves, and soft tissues, and increased pain following bone surgery. This step-by-step manuscript describes the use of a piezoelectric surgical unit to perform a segmental (central) maxillectomy.

Commissurotomy.

This step-by-step feature provides a pictorial description of the commissurotomy procedure. Commissurotomy can be performed to increase surgical access to the caudal oral cavity for procedures such as total mandibulectomy, caudal mandibulectomy, and surgical access to the mandibular ramus.

Commissurorraphy in the Dog.

Commissurorraphy is a surgical procedure designed to move the lip commissure rostrally. This procedure may be helpful as a unilateral procedure in cases of unilateral mandibulectomy to support tongue function and improve esthetics. Bilateral commissurorraphy is utilized in cases of radical bilateral mandibulectomy and as a salvage procedure for support of bilateral mandibular fractures in cases where rigid surgical fixation is not feasible. Dehiscence is the most likely complication of commissurorraphy. Tension can be reduced at the rostral extent of the incision by utilizing mattress sutures, intravenous fluid tubing, and/or buttons to prevent tearing through sutures.

Successful surgical treatment of mandibulo-zygomatic arch synostosis secondary to trauma in a dog.

This is a report of mandibulo-zygomatic arch synostosis in a dog 7 mo after trauma to the maxilla. Advanced diagnostic imaging was considered essential for characterization of the condition and treatment planning. Surgical excision of the bony proliferation and physiotherapy resulted in improved function within 6 wk.