Treatment of oromaxillary fistulae in nine standing horses (2002-2006).

The research article describes a study on the treatment of equine oromaxillary fistulae that are not related to cheek teeth extraction, and managed while the horses are standing. It draws from cases documented between 2002-2006.

Methods and Objective

• The objective of the research is to provide information on oromaxillary fistulae in horses, which are unrelated to cheek teeth extraction, and discuss their management in standing horses.
• The researchers took case details of oromaxillary fistulae from 2 referral centres between the years of 2002-2006.
• They considered cases with atypical etiology – in other words, whose cause were not the usual cheek teeth repulsion. The treatment executed for these cases and the response to the treatment were examined for the study.

Results

• The study recorded nine cases of oromaxillary fistulae, primarily in older horses, with the median age being 22 years.
• They observed that the fistulae were associated with Cheek Teeth (CT) diastema (gaps between teeth) in seven cases. On another occasion, a fractured Cheek Teeth caused the condition and in one case, it resulted from a central defect in a worn cheek tooth.
• The treatment involved cleaning food and exudate (fluid with pus) from the sinuses. In six cases, the treatment was successful just by filling the diastema or dental defect with Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), a material used in dental procedures.
• In the remaining three cases, a dental extraction was required before the space could be filled successfully with PMMA alveolar packing.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that older horses could spontaneously develop oromaxillary fistulae, generally secondary to Cheek Teeth diastemata.
• It’s determined that in the absence of infection at the tip of the root (apical infection), this disorder could typically be treated successfully while the horse is standing. This is done by treating the sinusitis and sealing the oral aspect of the diastema with PMMA.
• The research recommends that older horses showing signs of sinusitis should be checked for Cheek Teeth diastemata and oromaxillary fistulae. If diagnosed, these conditions can also be successfully treated while the horse stands.