Surgical correction of wry nose in four horses.
Authors: Schumacher Jim, Brink Palle, Easley Jack, Pollock Patrick
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Surgical Correction of Wry Nose in Horses Congenital nasal deviation (wry nose) causes both cosmetic and functional compromise in young horses, yet surgical correction options remain poorly documented in the literature. Schumacher and colleagues presented a retrospective case series of four foals aged 5–17 months that underwent surgical realignment of the deviated nasal passages and premaxillary/maxillary structures. The surgical approach involved transecting the bones at the site of maximum curvature, repositioning them into normal alignment, and stabilising them with internal fixation; concurrent removal of the nasal septum was performed in all cases. All four horses showed marked improvement in physical appearance and complete resolution of respiratory stridor, suggesting that this technique delivers both functional and cosmetic benefits. For practitioners managing young horses with wry nose, this work indicates that early surgical intervention combining skeletal realignment with septal resection offers a viable pathway to normal nasal function and reduced risk of secondary airway obstruction.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Wry nose can be successfully corrected surgically in young horses, with improvements in both appearance and breathing function.
- •The procedure involves bone transection and internal fixation to realign the nasal structures—plan for appropriate surgical facilities and internal fixation materials.
- •Early intervention in young foals (5-17 months) may be advisable to correct both the cosmetic defect and any associated respiratory compromise before the horse reaches work age.
Key Findings
- •Surgical correction of wry nose via transection of premaxillae/maxillae and nasal bones with internal fixation improved physical appearance in all 4 horses.
- •Respiratory stridor was eliminated in all treated horses following surgical realignment and stabilization.
- •Concurrent removal of the nasal septum during the same anesthetic period was feasible and did not compromise outcomes.