standing maxillary sinus flap horse surgery

This is a surgery done on a standing, sedated horse using local anaesthesia. It is done standing because they bleed a lot less than when under anaesthesia. It is not a sterile surgery, as it enters the nasal cavity; however the surgical site is clipped and scrubbed using an antiseptic soap. The area isn't draped because even the most heavily sedated horse tends not to tolerate having a sheet over its head for an hour. The local anaesthetic is the same as that used by your dentist, and the surgery is comparable to having a tooth removed.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• horse
• equine
• surgery
• head
• sinus
• standing
• ethmoid
• haematoma
• maxillary
• cyst
• surgeon

[horsesurgeon]

They can swell both externally and internally. If they swell internally it blocks off their nostril and they can't breath. Since horses can't breath through their mouths (not easily, at least), this is a big problem for them.

[horsesurgeon]

I wish I could, but nobody really knows. They just seem to be a developmental abnormality, where some normal secretory tissue gets walled off and forms a closed cavity.

[horsesurgeon]

That's my Resident's slightly bung hand, that he shaves during rugby season, so that it doesn't hurt when he takes off his strapping.

He says.

[horsesurgeon]

Its pathological. Its not infected - just a closed space with a secretory lining.

[horsesurgeon]

Unilateral mucoid nasal discharge and/or unilateral facial swelling over the area of the surgery site are the two major clinical signs. Occasionally the swelling will grow towards the inside of the sinus, distorting the nostril and causing a respiratory noise.

[horsesurgeon]

That's my Resident's slightly bung hand, that he shaves during rugby season, so that it doesn't hurt when he takes off his strapping.

He says.

[kisskisshorsegirl]

this is very neat! a question though, if the tissue wasn't removed, what would happen to the horse? does it cause swelling?

[PuukaBear]

Brilliant video - just wondering if you could give a little detail on what causes these?

[frowboy22]

this was cool very insightful

[TheElephant79]

Good Job Surgeon and Horse.

[TheElephant79]

Crazy shit.

[teampotatohead13]

Is the lining you pull out normal or pathological? In other words, did you pull out the lining that would be in a normal horse maxillary sinus, or is the lining is this video one that arises under infection?