Equine veterinary journal
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Equine veterinary journal · Nov 2004
Surgical repair of rib fractures in 14 neonatal foals: case selection, surgical technique and results.
Fractured ribs are encountered quite frequently in newborn Thoroughbred foals, often with fatal outcome. Surgical repair of fractures therefore requires consideration as a means of reducing mortality. ⋯ Foals with existing extensive internal thoracic trauma resulting from rib fracture(s), or the potential for such trauma, previously considered to have a guarded to poor prognosis for survival, may be successfully managed with internal fixation of selected fracture sites.