Anesthetic Management for Dental and Sinus Surgery

The linings of the sinuses are rich in vasculature and may play a role in thermoregulation. Frontonasal and maxillary bone flaps are indicated to remove of a wide variety of lesions that may develop in the paranasal sinuses or turbinates, such as paranasal sinus cysts, neoplasia, progressive ethmoid hematomas, and apical infections of maxillary cheek teeth. Complete history and physical examination of the horse, including assessment of mental status, cardiopulmonary functions, hydration status, and body temperature are mandatory prior to sedation, anesthesia, and/or local anesthetic techniques for dental and sinus surgery. Locoregional anesthesia can be performed prior to many dental and surgical procedures for horses under both standing sedation and general anesthesia. Blocking the maxillary nerve within the pterygopalatine fossa results in blockade of the maxillary teeth, the paranasal sinus, and the nasal cavity. Extractions and repulsions of teeth can be done either with standing sedation and local anesthesia techniques or under a general anesthetic.