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Simple Summary: Sea turtles are considered an endangered species, largely due to anthropogenic activities. Severe trauma in these species mainly involves the carapace and head. Studies on the incidence of head trauma in sea turtles and analysis of the survival rate after hospitalization performed on many subjects examined over a long period of time were missing in the scientific literature. In this retrospective study, we evaluated 1877 Caretta caretta, 29 of which showed head trauma. The severity of head injuries was assessed clinically and by neurological examination. CT examination was essential to evaluate the impaired central nervous system and sense organs. According to our scoring classification, most head traumatized turtles had severe injuries but in most cases, the animals showed no alteration in mentation state. Only 28% (8/29) of the turtles showed head damage related to severe neurological deficits. Indeed, 21 out of 29 sea turtles were released after a time ranging from a few days to 8 months. To the best of our knowledge, the literature lacks specific data on the incidence, correlations with neurological deficits, complications, and survival rate of traumatic head injuries in loggerhead sea turtles. Sea turtles are considered endangered species, largely due to anthropogenic activities. Much of the trauma in these species involves the carapace and skull, resulting in several degrees of damage to the pulmonary and nervous systems. Among traumatic injuries, those involving the skull can be complicated by brain exposure, and turtles with severe skull injuries that have nervous system impairment, emaciation, and dehydration can often die. Between July 2014 and February 2022, a total of 1877 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were referred for clinical evaluation at the Sea Turtle Clinic (STC) of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Bari. A retrospective study of 29 consecutive cases of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) with skull lesions of different degrees of severity is reported. On admission, physical and neurological evaluations were performed to assess and grade the lesions and neurological deficits. In 20 of the 29 sea turtles with more serious head trauma, computed tomography (CT) findings in combination with physical and neurological assessment enabled the evaluation of the potential correlation between deficits and the extent of head injuries. All sea turtles underwent curettage of the skull wounds, and the treatment protocol included the use of the plant-derived dressing 1 Primary Wound Dressing® (Phytoceutical AG, Endospin Italia) applied on the wound surface as a primary dressing. Out of 29 sea turtles, 21 were released after a time ranging from a few days to 8 months. To the best of our knowledge, the literature lacks specific data on the incidence, correlations with neurological deficits, complications, and survival rate of loggerhead sea turtles with traumatic head injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Surgical treatment of sea turtle flipper fractures and the bones' subsequent repair process are not well documented in the scientific literature. This is the first case report describing the repair process of a multiple humeral flipper fracture in a sea turtle, after surgical stabilization, through periodic radiographic follow-up from 0 to 24 months. Due to the accidental death of the turtle 3 months after its release, it was possible to describe the progress of the fracture-healing process by histomorphometric analysis and to histologically compare the structure of the newly formed bone with the normal bone structure of these animals. Based on our findings in this case study, we may be able to obtain a better understanding of how repair tissue in marine turtles works, as well as helping with decisions regarding surgery. This study describes the surgical treatment of multiple humeral fractures in a Caretta caretta sea turtle referred by the 'Centro Faunistico del Parco Regionale Bosco e Paludi di Rauccio', in the area surrounding the city of Lecce, in southern Italy. Radiographs showed an evident detachment of the distal humeral epiphysis, compatible with a type II Salter-Harris fracture, as well as a transverse fracture of the diaphysis. After the surgical fracture reduction, radiographic follow-up was performed at 2, 4, 12, 16, and 24 months, showing a progressive healing and the formation of poorly mineralized callus tissue. Unfortunately, three months after his release at sea, the turtle was caught dead at a depth of 40 m. Histological and histomorphometric examinations of the surgically treated humerus were carried out on the corpse to collect further information about the bone tissue repair mechanisms in these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]