Cat unable to open mouth after jaw fracture fixed by surgery

Abstract

Case summary A 1-year-old spayed female domestic British Shorthair cat was presented for facial trauma; there were multiple mandibular fractures involving the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that were managed conservatively. After 2 months, the owner reported a gradual onset of the cat’s inability to open its mouth and subsequent inappetence. The maximum mouth opening (MMO) measured 7 mm. CT showed ankylosis of the TMJ, and surgical treatment with caudal segmental mandibulectomy (CSM) was performed. The cat had a rapid postoperative recovery and returned promptly to spontaneous eating, with a nearly normal MMO of 33 mm. A CT scan performed 3 months postoperatively showed a mild rightward deviation of the mandible, and a clearly visible non-ossified ostectomy gap between the body and the ramus of the right mandible. The cat continued to eat spontaneously without dysphagia following surgery and was asymptomatic 1 year postoperatively. Relevance and novel information To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing the tomographic findings after CSM, as compared with the clinical outcome. Postoperative CT is indicated to confirm the success of the procedure and to assess TMJ ankylosis sequalae or complications of the CSM surgical site at an early stage. This report confirmed the effectiveness of CSM in resolving TMJ stiffness due to articular fractures or ankylosis with a good clinical and tomographic outcome.