Removal of the premaxillae and rostral portions of the maxillae of a horse.

The research describes a successful surgical procedure in which a horse’s infected incisive bones (premaxillae) and parts of the maxillae were removed.

Surgical Process

• The study documents the surgical procedure to treat a horse affected by phaeohyphomycosis, a severe fungal infection affecting the premaxillae (incisive bones) and the rostral portions of the maxillae.
• The infected areas were reached by creating and reflecting the labial and palatal mucoperiosteal flaps, which are specific tissue sections within the horse’s oral cavity.
• To extract the affected bones, an obstetrical wire, generally used during childbirth, was employed. This surgical material is known for its cutting efficiency and minimal damage to the surrounding tissues.

Healing and Post-Operative Results

• After the removal of the bones, the labial and palatal flaps were stitched back together in two layers. Absorbable sutures, which dissolve over time, were used.
• The report states that the surgical wound healed without any complications, implying effective management of any potential post-operative issues such as infection, poor wound healing, or adverse reactions to the sutures.
• Post-operatively, the horse showed the ability to prehend (grasp and draw into the mouth) hay and long grass, indicating no major deficits in oral functionality.

Implications for Future Treatments

• The owner of the horse stated that the horse’s facial appearance seemed nearly normal after surgery. This outcome suggests that this surgical approach may have minimal impact on aesthetic appearance.
• The favorable outcome from the surgery suggests that this method could have potential use in treating similar conditions in horses where conservative treatments are either ineffective or not applicable.