Congenital Glossocheilognathoschisis and Persistent Frenula Linguae in a Foal: A Case Report

This paper describes clinical findings and surgical treatment of a foal with multiple craniofacial defects (glossocheilognathoschisis; congenital midline cleft of the lower lip, mandible and tongue combined with bilateral persistent frenula linguae) admitted to the Surgery Clinics of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kafkas, Turkey. A thorough clinical examination revealed cleft of the lower lip and mandible combined with glossoschisis (glossocheilognathoschisis) and bilateral extensive and restrictive membranous band (frenula) of tissue at the base of the tongue. Physical examination and radiography of the other organs and tissues of the foal were within normal limits. After sedation and general anesthesia, the persistent frenulas on the right and left parts of the tongue were transected, starting from normal tongue tissue, with the scissors. The tongue was completely freed after the transection of the remaining part of the frenulum, where right and left frenulas united, and the accompanying mucosal tissue on the mandibular symphysis was removed and underlying bone tissue was superficially curetted. Cerclage wire was placed under the mucosa of the mandible and was then passed among two drilled holes below the two incisors. These two pieces of wire were twisted together and anchored over the labial surface of the mandibular symphysis junction. The mandibular symphysis was then stabilized after cerclage wire tensing. A nasogastric tube was placed to permit enteral feeding. The foal was discharged 5 days after surgery. Telephone follow-up revealed that the foal had died 15 days after the surgical intervention.