Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Removal of the premaxillae and rostral portions of the maxillae of a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1996
- Authors:
- Schumacher, J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse had an infection in its front jaw bones caused by a type of fungus. To treat this, the veterinarian carefully opened the horse's mouth and removed the infected bones using a special wire. After stitching the area closed, the wound healed well without any problems. The horse was able to eat hay and grass easily afterward, and the owner felt that the horse's face looked almost normal again. This surgical method could be helpful for other horses with similar issues that can't be treated in less invasive ways.
Abstract
The incisive bones (premaxillae) and rostral portions of the maxillae of a horse were infected with dermatiaceous fungi causing phaeohyphomycosis. The pre-maxillae were exposed by creating and reflecting labial and palatal mucoperiosteal flaps, and obstetrical wire was used to remove the affected bones. Labial and palatal flaps were apposed in 2 layers, using absorbable sutures. The sutured wound healed without complication. The horse was able to prehend hay and long grass without difficulty, and the owner considered the horse's facial appearance to be nearly normal. This technique may be useful for removal of diseased premaxillae of horses that cannot be treated by more conservative means.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8926192/