Head and Neck Fractures

Question 1

If there is severe trauma to the nasal passage causing difficulty breathing in a horse, what should be performed?

Answer 1

tracheostomy

Question 2

What is dacryocystorhinography​?

Answer 2

Radiographic contrast evaluation of the nasolacrimal duct

Question 3

What are the treatment options for compressive spinal cord lesions?

Answer 3

• Rest
• Dorsal laminectomy
• Cervical ventral interbody fusion

Question 4

When using a distraction screw, one turn (360˚) is equal to how much distraction?

Answer 4

1 mm

It is safe to stretch the bone 1mm/day. If you stretch more than that, you run the risk of creating a false joint

Question 5

What is a clinically relevant compressive lesion on a myelogram?

Answer 5

Both dorsal and ventral columns narrow at the same level​

Question 6

What are the causes of static compressive spinal cord lesions?

Answer 6

Caudal cervical vertebral DJD

• Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of diarthrodial articulations of caudal cervical vertibrae
• Diagnosed by myelography: Clinically relevant compressive lesion if both dorsal and ventral contrast columns narrow at same level

Question 7

How is the animal positioned for a laminectomy?

Answer 7

Lateral recumbency, Hanging over the surgery table

Question 8

The most common cause for head and neck fractures in large animals is:

Answer 8

trauma

Question 9

When is it appropriate to use conservative treatment for incisive fractures?

Answer 9

Young foals

Question 10

What is the most common treatment for incisive fractures?

Answer 10

Cerclage fixation

Other options include conservative treatment, screws, plates, external fixation

Question 11

Pooling of blood inside the anterior chamber of the eye is termed:

Answer 11

hyphema

Indicative of head trauma but not conclusive

Question 12

What are the strongest to weakest methods for repairing mandibular fractures?

Answer 12

• Strongest: bone plate
• Weakest: external fixator

Question 13

How do you repair a skull bone depression?

Answer 13

Elevate with a periosteal elevator, secure with cerclage wire​

Question 14

If you do find blood in the sinuses, how do you drain it?

Answer 14

Place a foley catheter and secure

Question 15

In patients with suspected head trauma and increased intracranial pressure, the use of __________ is contraindicated

Answer 15

ketamine

Question 16

What portion of the neck should tracheostomy tubes be placed?

Answer 16

Upper 1/3 of the neck on midline

Question 17

Identify this condition. How is it repaired?

Answer 17

Parrot Mouth

This is when the front edge of the top incisors is further forward that that of the lower teeth. This is repaired by osteotomy followed by external fixator with distraction screw.

Question 18

T/F: Non-displaced fractures of the vertical ramus require surgery

Answer 18

False

The masseter muscle stabilizes the fracture

Question 19

How do horses typically develop basilar fractures?

Answer 19

horse flips over backwards

Question 20

What do you need to warn the client about before performing a myelogram?

Answer 20

may increase spinal cord deficits

Question 21

How is the animal positioned for a cervical ventral interbody fusion?

Answer 21

Dorsal recumbency, “over stretching” neck

Question 22

What are the causes for neck vertebrae fractures?

Answer 22

Trauma and electrocution (struck by lightning)

Question 23

What is veisalgia?

Answer 23

a hangover.

Not relevant to Large Animal Surgery, but still interesting.

Question 24

You’re preparing a horse for fracture fixation and decide to administer rocuronium. You quickly realize this was a stupid idea. What agent can be used to reverse your mistake?

Answer 24

Sugammadex

Happy finals week, suckas!