Shell fracture in sea turtles: investigating stages of scarring (from a case study)

Abstract

In sea turtles, carapace fractures are commonly observed, and mostly caused by traumas. This dissertation will review the possibles surgical approaches to treat carapace traumatic injuries in sea turtles. To this aim we will also report and discuss a clinical case of a sea turtle that was rescued in El Hierro island, presenting multiple carapace fractures. The animal was moved to the La Tahonilla rescue centre; during a seven months long hospitalization, three different surgical techniques have been applied to treat the fractures. We will describe in details each surgical approach, including the cerclage, the application of epoxy resin with fiberglass cloth combined with screws, wire, and two splits, and the plates placement. Moreover, changes in clinical condition as well as the response to the each treatment will be reported. The discussion will be mainly focused on the unexpected cicatrisation response observed in this animal; possible interpretation of the observed results will be provided.