Standing excision of the nasal septum of 12 horses

To describe the technique of and complications associated with excising the nasal septum of horses with the horse standing and to report the outcome of horses undergoing this procedure.

Retrospective study.

A total of Twelve horses affected with disease of the nasal septum.

The septum of each horse was excised with the horse sedated. All horses underwent rhinotomy, and six also underwent laryngotomy, to position three loops of obstetrical wire used to make three of four septal incisions. The sites of laryngotomy and rhinotomy were desensitized by infiltrating local anesthetic subcutaneously at the sites of incision. The septum of all horses was desensitized topically by instilling local anesthetic into both nasal passages. The septum of 11 horses was desensitized by also anesthetizing the maxillary nerves and, for three of these 11, local anesthetic was instilled beneath the septal submucosa at the site of rhinotomy.

The septum of each horse was resected safely. The hemorrhage observed at surgery appeared subjectively to be less than that observed when the same surgery is performed with the horse recumbent. A total of Eleven horses returned to their original and intended use, and one died, presumably from a complication associated with a maxillary nerve block.

The nasal septum can be excised safely with the horse standing by using sedation and topical, local, and regional anesthesia.

Removing the nasal septum with the horse standing eliminates the expense and risks associated with general anesthesia.