Free Auricular Cartilage Autograft for Repair of an Oronasal Fistula in a Dog

Abstract

An eight-year-old female/spayed Pomeranian dog was presented for surgical treatment of an acquired right oronasal fistula. The maxillary right canine tooth had been extracted non-surgically 7-weeks prior to presentation. Clinical signs were consistent with an oronasal fistula during this time period. Oral examination showed an oronasal fistula in the area of the extracted tooth. The referring veterinarian performed simple debridement and suturing with subsequent recurrence of the oronasal fistula. This case report describes the successful surgical treatment of an acquired oronasal fistula with a free auricular cartilage autograft and reviews techniques described for oronasal fistula repair, including free auricular cartilage autografts.