Levator labii superioris muscle transposition to treat oromaxillary sinus fistula in three horses.
OBJECTIVE
To describe surgical transposition of the levator labii superioris muscle to treat oromaxillary sinus fistula in horses.


METHODS
Clinical study.


METHODS
Three horses with chronic oromaxillary sinus fistula.


METHODS
After severing its tendinous insertion, the muscle belly of the levator labii superioris muscle was retracted and transposed through the oromaxillary sinus fistula. The tendon exited the oral cavity through a full-thickness buccal incision created adjacent to the oral end of the fistula and was then tunneled subcutaneously in a ventral direction before being anchored by sutures to the cheek tissues.


RESULTS
Fistulae healed with few complications and with good cosmetic and functional results.


CONCLUSIONS
Oromaxillary sinus fistula associated with molariform tooth loss in horses can be treated successfully by transposition of the levator labii superioris muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
Transposition of the levator labii superioris muscle should be considered for resolution of chronic oromaxillary sinus fistula in horses.
Brink
Palle
P
Equine ATG Clinic, Jägersro, Sweden. palle.brink@jagersro.nshorse.se
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D009957:Oroantral Fistula / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome