Scientists in Ireland have developed a new bone repair technology that has saved the life of a promising young racehorse. The racehorse, facing the prospect of being put down, was rescued from death by use of a newly-developed bone repair technology that enabled veterinary surgeons to rebuild the thoroughbredâs jaw. After recovering from the surgery, the two-year-old filly is performing well on the racetrack.
Technology for rebuilding horse's jaw
The racehorse, facing the prospect of being put down, was rescued from death by use of a newly-developed bone repair technology that enabled veterinary surgeons to rebuild the thoroughbredâs jaw.
The bone repair technology, called HydroxyColl, allows lost or damaged bone to be regrown. It was developed by researchers in the Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre known as Amber, a collaboration involving Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
The filly's successful return to the track has been a research highlight presented at an industry day marking the centerâs first year in operation. The RCSI has set up a company, SurgaColl Technologies, to market the product.
This was its first clinical use and the technology was used to treat a cyst in the horseâs jaw. The cyst left the horse's jaw at risk of breaking and stopped the horse from eating properly leading to debilitating conditions that often result in euthanasia of the horse.
The treatment involved removing the cyst and then rebuilding the jaw by implanting a 3-d scaffold which acts like a bone graft. This helps to build up bone and encourages blood vessels to form, the Amber research team said.
The horse, Annagh Haven, has since returned to racing and has won or placed six times to date. According to the acting director of the Amber center, the work demonstrated the scientists' ability to push the boundaries of science.