Triangulated Flap Technique for Nasofrontal Surgery Results in Five Horses

A modified bone-flap technique was used to expose space occupying lesions that involved the conchofrontal sinus, ethmoturbinates, and caudal nasal cavity in five horses. The most common clinical findings were chronic nasal discharge and upper airway obstruction. Surgical intervention was based on endoscopic and radiographic interpretation. The triangulated bone-flap technique increased surgical exposure to the conchofrontal sinus by almost twice the area observed in previously described surgical techniques. The major advantages were that this technique allowed excellent visualization, thorough palpation, and surgical manipulation within the sinus and associated structures. Complications were minimal. One horse was euthanized 1 month postoperatively with recurrence and spread of a mycotic granuloma. The technique extended the usefulness of the other four horses in a 9 to 24 month follow-up period, although the obstructing lesion recurred after 2 years in one of the four horses.