Efficient primary surgical treatment of equine infectious sinusitis reduces postoperative aftercare and increases outcome results: a retrospective study of 130 cases

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE To document the long-term outcome of surgically treated primary and dental-related sinusitis in horses and to describe a simple protocol for postoperative management. METHODS All surgically treated sinusitis cases referred between January 2016 and June 2022 were reviewed. Cases diagnosed with primary and dental-related sinusitis and with a follow-up of at least 6 months after hospital discharge were included. Cases with other sinus pathology were excluded. RESULTS 130 cases met the inclusion criteria. 104 out of 130 were treated with sinoscopy and 26/130 with sinusotomy. 86 out of 130 cases (66.2%) were diagnosed with a dental pathology as a cause of sinusitis that required tooth extraction. Diagnostics were refined with the help of CT in 55/130 (42%) cases. Short-term complications were encountered in 8/130 (6.2%), and full response after initial treatment was successful for 107/130 cases (82.3%). The mean number of postoperative daily flushes was 3.15, and horses were discharged after a mean hospitalization period of 6.4 days. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Thorough debridement of sinuses affected by primary or dental-related sinusitis followed by a simple aftercare protocol can lead to a positive long-term outcome.