Oxytetrin spray

A midline incision was made through the skin from the right and left orbits to the occipital part of the calvaria. The temporalis muscles were subperiosteally elevated from the frontal bone and retracted bilaterally (flap). All remaining soft tissue attached to the bone was sharply dissected to expose the site and prepare the frontal bone for implantation. Two semi‐onlay implants were bilaterally placed on the frontal bone of the skull of each sheep. Each implant was fixed to the frontal bone with two self‐drilling 1.5 × 4 mm bone screws (Medicon, art no: 68.93.24 A) one in each opposite fixation points of the implant, as outlined in Figure 1a, D‐E. Following fixation of the implants, the soft tissues were closed with absorbable sutures (Vicryl^® 2‐0, Ethicon) and the skin was closed with non‐absorbable sutures (Prolene^® 2‐0, Ethicon) and surgical staples. The wounds were disinfected using oxytetracycline (Oxytetrin^® spray, MSD).

An IM injection of buprenorphine (Buprecare^®, Axience, 0.005 mg/kg) was administered at the end of the surgery day, then daily for 2 days post‐surgery. An anti‐inflammatory drug (flunixin, Meflosyl^® Injectable, Zoetis, 2 mg/kg) was administered IM daily for 7 days post‐surgery and antibiotics were given for 3 weeks following surgery: amoxicillin (Duphamox LA^®, Zoetis, IM, once every 2 days, 15 mg/kg) and enrofloxacin (Baytril^® 10%, Bayer Pharma, subcutaneous daily, 5 mg/kg). After approximately 2 weeks following surgery, the surgical sutures and staples were removed. The wounds were disinfected with oxytetracycline (Oxytetrin^® spray, MSD) once every 2 days until 2 days after the removal of the surgical sutures and staples. When needed, the local disinfection was replaced/extended with povidone iodine (Vetedine^® solution, Vetoquinol).