Extraction of cheek teeth using a lateral buccotomy approach in 114 horses (1999-2009).

The research focuses on the success rates of cheek tooth (CT) removal in horses through lateral buccotomy. The study, which lasted 10 years (1999 to 2009), reviewed 114 cases from two equine referral hospitals and found that the procedure provides a viable alternative for tooth extraction in horses, given its infeasibility by standing oral extraction, with 92% of the animals being able to resume their previous level of work after more than two months.

Methodology

• The research team worked with hospital records of 114 horses admitted to two private equine referral hospitals between 1999 to 2009.
• The horses in the study all underwent CT removal through a lateral buccotomy.
• The team analyzed case details, presenting complaints, results from diagnostic tests and surgery reports, data obtained during postoperative reassessments, as well as long-term follow-up information for 112 of the horses.

Result

• Short-term complications (< 2 months) emerged in 31% of the horses understudied undergoing exodontia of the maxillary CT and 27% involving mandibular CT.
• The most prevalent complications were partial wound dehiscence and infection after 16 extractions (47%), but all healed well with secondary intention.
• Other noted complications included both temporary (n = 6) and permanent (n = 3) facial nerve paralysis, myositis (n = 4), and accidental creation of an oroantral fistula (n = 4).
• A case of myositis led to euthanization 24 hours after operation.
• Five horses showed consistent sinusitis due to dental remnants (n = 2) and excessive packing material (n = 1) in their sinuses post surgery; no clear cause was identified for the other two horses.
• One horse experienced a fatal cardiac arrest during anesthesia induction.
• Regardless of these complications, 92% of the horses operated on returned to their previous level of work after over 2 months without any complications.

Conclusion

• Overall, the research concluded that horses undergoing cheek tooth removal via a lateral buccotomy generally have a reasonable long-term prognosis.
• The study also asserted that executing a lateral buccotomy serves as a justifiable substitute for surgical removal of equine CT when it is impossible to do by oral extraction.
• This procedure offers advantages over other alternatives like retropulsion, endodontic therapy, and periapical curettage.