Correcting Campylorrhinus Lateralis in a Foal by Bone Distraction: A Case Report.

This article reports on successfully treating a rare congenital condition known as wry nose in a 2-month-old foal. It introduces a surgical approach that involves unilateral osteotomy and bone distraction, which results in improved dental occlusion and breathing in the treated horse.

Overview of the Study

• The researchers present a case study of a foal diagnosed with wry nose, a congenital condition that primarily affects Thoroughbred horses.
• The horse exhibited significant deviation in the maxillae, leading to tooth malocclusion and airway obstruction, characteristics commonly seen in wry nose.
• The goal of the case study was to highlight the surgical treatment involving unilateral osteotomy and bone distraction to rectify the anatomical deformation.

The Case and Diagnosis

• The case involved a 2-month-old foal of the Mangalarga Marchador breed with pronounced maxillae deviation to the right side, incisor malocclusion, and respiratory noises indicative of airway obstruction.
• The aforementioned symptoms led to the diagnosis of wry nose in the foal.
• The study emphasizes that surgery is not always the chosen treatment for this condition; however, it was selected for this case to improve the horse’s respiratory condition and correct dental occlusion.

Surgical Intervention and Outcome

• The researchers implemented a surgical technique involving unilateral osteotomy of the right maxillae and the use of an external bone distractor.
• The bone distraction technique works by slowly widening a gap in the bone, allowing the body’s natural mechanisms to create new bone tissue to fill in the gap and correct the deformation.
• After 90 days, the bone distractor was removed, and significant improvements were observed in the incisor malocclusion and respiratory noises, indicating a successful outcome for the surgical intervention.

Relevance of the Study

• This research is significant as it demonstrates the viability of a surgical approach to treat wry nose, a condition not frequently encountered nor reported in horses.
• The surgical technique described in the study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, has not been previously reported on horses with this specific malformation.
• This case study offers an illuminating reference for veterinarians, especially those dealing with racing or sporting horses, where any form of respiratory or dental impairment can significantly impact the performance of the animals.