Evaluation of a Novel Post-Operative Treatment for Sinonasal Disease in the Horse (1996-2007)

1. Introduction
Although results of horses treated for sinonasal disease have been previously reported, the authors were interested in evaluating the outcome of horses after a specific treatment protocol.

2. Materials and Methods
Medical records of horses treated surgically for sinonasal disease between 1996 and 2007 were reviewed. Post-operatively, sinus flaps were reopened with horses standing and sedated. The number of horses requiring further treatment, median number of days post-operatively that the flaps were opened, number of times the flaps were opened, duration of hospitalization, short- and long-term survival, and complication rates were determined.

3. Results
One hundred thirty-six horses underwent surgical treatment of sinonasal disease. Ninety-two horses were included in this study. Sinuses were packed at the end of surgery. Packing was removed with the horse sedated and standing 1–6 days post-operatively. Thirty-nine horses (42%) required further treatment at that time. Eighty-nine horses (97%) survived to discharge. Incision infection was the most common complication encountered (29%). No horse required a blood transfusion. Recurrence rates were 5%, 12%, and 40% for sinus cysts, progressive ethmoid hematoma (PEH), and neoplasia, respectively. [...]