Extensive nasal septum resection in horses using a 3-wire method.
Authors: Doyle Aimie J, Freeman David E
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Extensive Nasal Septum Resection Using the 3-Wire Method Congenital and acquired nasal septal deformities can compromise airflow and performance in horses, yet conventional resection techniques have limitations in terms of both the extent of tissue removal and surgical accessibility. Doyle and Freeman's 2005 retrospective analysis of five horses describes a novel approach using preplaced obstetrical wires positioned around the ventral, caudal, and dorsal aspects of the septum—with the dorsal and caudal wires guided via a trephine hole—allowing controlled, sequential incisions that remove diseased tissue whilst directing the remaining septal stump into the wider caudal nasal passage where it minimises airflow obstruction. Complete septal resection was achieved in all cases, with four of five horses returning to work; the fifth horse, complicated by concurrent wry nose requiring two additional surgeries, was ultimately retired from high-speed racing despite initial healing. Beyond the favourable outcome in the majority of cases, this technique offers practical advantages including technical simplicity, safety, and superior cosmetic results compared with conventional methods, though clinicians should note that most horses continued to produce mild exercise-related respiratory noise post-operatively. For practitioners managing septal pathology in performance horses, this approach provides a valuable surgical option when extensive resection is indicated, particularly where preserving function and appearance are priorities.
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Practical Takeaways
- •The 3-wire method offers a technically straightforward and safe alternative for extensive nasal septum resection, with good cosmetic outcomes and functional return in most cases
- •Expect mild persistent respiratory noise during exercise in horses undergoing this procedure, even with successful healing
- •Concurrent nasal conditions (e.g. wry nose) may complicate outcomes and prognosis for return to high-performance use
Key Findings
- •Complete nasal septum resection was achieved in all 5 horses using the 3-wire technique
- •4 of 5 horses returned to intended use, though continued to make slight respiratory noise during exercise
- •The technique allowed caudal cuts to be angled so remaining septum stumps positioned in wide nasal passages to minimize airflow obstruction
- •1 horse with concurrent wry nose required 2 additional surgeries and was ultimately retired due to persistent exercise intolerance