Use of distraction osteogenesis for the correction of deviated nasal septum and premaxilla in a horse.

The research discusses a surgical method, distraction osteogenesis, for correcting facial deformities such as maxilla and nasal septum deviations in horses. This less invasive approach proved successful in the case of a 13-month-old female Andalusian, despite leaving an overjet lesion.

Background

• The study takes off from a context where the only known surgery for correcting deviated nasal septum and premaxilla in horses involved a pre-maxilla osteotomy and use of an autogenous rib graft. This complex process required two separate surgeries.
• The deformities occurred in a 13-month-old female Andalusian horse as a result of congenital left deviation. This had led to a severe malocclusion of the maxillary incisor teeth.

Objective

• The primary objective of the researchers was to introduce and evaluate a new method of surgical treatment – distraction osteogenesis.
• Unlike the traditional method, this treatment did not require the nasal septum osteotomy, making it less invasive.

Procedure and Results

• The researchers used distraction osteogenesis to treat the horse characteristic.
• Following the procedure, the horse’s premaxilla and nasal septum deviations were corrected successfully.
• The only issue left behind was an overjet lesion, which exhibits as the rostral projection of the maxillary arcade over the mandibular arcade. However, the owners declined further treatment.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that distraction osteogenesis is a less invasive and viable option for correcting facial deformities like wry nose, head scoliosis, brachygnathism, and prognathism in horses.
• It suggests that this treatment could replace existing methods for congenital deviation of premaxilla and nasal septum correction in horses.