Gingival approach to correct wry nose using locking compression plates in two foals

C B Sapper,A Fürst,J Suárez Sánchez‐Andrade,F Theiss

doi:10.1111/eve.13552

Abstract

Wry nose (campylorrhinus lateralis) in foals leads to breathing and weaning problems as well as reduced performance. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe a new gingival approach for, and report the outcome after, surgical correction of wry nose in two foals. Two young foals with wry nose were surgically treated using a gingival approach. Osteotomy of the incisive and maxillary bones was carried out, and a 3.5-mm locking compression plate (LCP) with screws was inserted in the incisive and maxillary bones and in several teeth to stabilise the gap. The rostral part of the nasal septum was resected, and osteotomy and plate fixation were used to correct the nasal bone deviation. A 2.4-mm UniLOCK plate was used in one foal and 2.7-mm LCP in the other. Respiratory difficulties and facial malformation were markedly reduced in both foals. The existing brachygnathia superior and nasal bone deviation could not be completely eliminated. Main limitation was the small sample size of only two foals. In conclusion surgical correction of wry nose through a gingival approach resulted in a good outcome with a significant reduction in the deviation and associated clinical signs.

Highlights

Wry nose is a congenital malformation characterised by lateral and sometimes ventral deviation of the bones of the rostral skull
One surgical procedure includes resection of the nasal septum, osteotomy of the nasal bones and fixation with UniLOCK plates followed by osteotomy of both maxillary rami and fixation with locking compression plate (LCP) with or without the use of an autogenous bone graft on the concave side (Fu€rst & Auer, 2019)
The aim of this report is to describe the surgical correction of wry nose in two foals, younger than 2 months of age, using a gingival approach and 3.5 mm LCPs at the osteotomy sites in the incisive and maxillary bones

Summary

Introduction

Wry nose (campylorrhinus lateralis) is a congenital malformation characterised by lateral and sometimes ventral deviation of the bones of the rostral skull. One surgical procedure includes resection of the nasal septum, osteotomy of the nasal bones and fixation with UniLOCK plates followed by osteotomy of both maxillary rami and fixation with LCPs with or without the use of an autogenous bone graft on the concave side (Fu€rst & Auer, 2019). Another technique uses a gingival approach for the osteotomy, followed by insertion of a bone graft as well as Steinmann pins for stabilisation (Schumacher et al, 2008). The long-term outcome of surgical treatment was described as good in some cases with horses able to be used in competitive sports or pleasure riding without signs of impairment, but outcomes were not known in all reported cases (Puchol et al, 2004; Schumacher et al, 2008; and Cousty et al, 2010)

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