Extensive rostral mandibulectomy for treatment of ameloblastoma in a horse.
Authors: Mendez-Angulo Jose L, Tatarniuk Dane M, Ruiz Indalecio, Ernst Nicolas
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Ameloblastoma in the Horse: Surgical Management Without Mandibular Stabilisation Ameloblastomas are rare but locally aggressive odontogenic tumours; their location in the rostral mandible presents particular surgical challenges given the anatomical constraints of the equine jaw. This case report documents the management of a 21-year-old mare with a rostral mandibular ameloblastoma treated via complete en-bloc resection, which involved removal of most of the mandibular symphysis. Although post-operative complications emerged—including fracture of the remaining symphysis (<5 mm) within 24 hours and partial wound dehiscence by day five—the mare recovered functional mastication and wound healing was complete within two weeks, with bony fusion of the hemi-mandibles and minimal long-term sequelae (mild tongue protrusion) evident at 18-month follow-up. The findings suggest that extensive rostral mandibulectomy can achieve acceptable cosmetic and functional outcomes in horses without requiring internal or external stabilisation devices, challenging conventional orthopedic principles. For practitioners managing equine jaw pathology, this case provides evidence that aggressive tumour removal in this location may be justified even when substantial bony resection is necessary, though careful post-operative monitoring for early fracture complications and wound management remains essential.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Horses can tolerate extensive rostral mandibulectomy without surgical stabilization devices, allowing healing through secondary intention and bony fusion
- •Expect postoperative complications such as fracture and wound dehiscence, but these may resolve with conservative management and don't necessarily compromise functional outcome
- •Plan for 18+ month recovery timeline before full bony union and assess individual factors (age 21, good health status) when considering candidacy for this extensive procedure
Key Findings
- •Extensive rostral mandibulectomy removing >95% of mandibular symphysis was performed without internal or external stabilization in a 21-year-old mare with ameloblastoma
- •Postoperative mandibular fracture occurred at day 1 but healed spontaneously with bony fusion by 18 months
- •Mare achieved functional recovery with adequate eating ability and acceptable cosmetic outcome despite mild tongue protrusion