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Topic:Clinical Study

Clinical studies in equine research involve the systematic investigation of health and disease in horses through structured scientific methods. These studies aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatments, understand disease mechanisms, and improve veterinary care practices. Clinical studies can include randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and case-control studies. They may focus on various aspects such as pharmacokinetics, therapeutic interventions, and diagnostic techniques. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the design, implementation, and findings of clinical studies in equine medicine, providing insights into their impact on horse health and veterinary practices.
Cleaning with a wet sterile gauze significantly reduces contamination of sutures, instruments, and surgical gloves in an ex-vivo pelvic flexure enterotomy model in horses. Giusto G, Tramuta C, Caramello V, Comino F, Nebbia P, Robino P, Singer E, Grego E, Gandini M.The objective of this study was to investigate whether cleaning surgical materials used to close pelvic flexure enterotomies with a wet sterile gauze will reduce contamination and whether the use of a full thickness appositional suture pattern (F) or a partial thickness inverting (or Cushing) suture pattern (C) would make a difference in the level of contamination. Large colon specimens were assigned to group F or C and divided into subgroups N and G. In group G, a wet sterile gauze was passed over the suture material, another over the instruments, and another over the gloves. In group N, no t...
The route of administration drastically affects ivermectin activity against small strongyles in horses.
Veterinary parasitology    February 4, 2017   Volume 236 62-67 doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.01.025
The goal of the current study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) against small strongyles (cyathostomins) following its oral and intramuscular (IM) administration, in naturally parasitized horses. The parasitological data were complemented with the assessment of the plasma disposition kinetics of IVM. The trial included two different experiments. In experiment I, 40 horses naturally infected with small strongyles were randomly allocated into four experimental groups (n=10) and treated with IVM (0.2mg/kg) as follows: IVM oral paste, animals were orally treated with Eqv...
Pentoxifylline effects on capacitation and fertility of stallion epididymal sperm.
Animal reproduction science    February 3, 2017   Volume 179 27-34 doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.01.013
Guasti PN, Monteiro GA, Maziero RR, Carmo MT, Dell'Aqua JA, Crespilho AM, Rifai EA, Papa FO.The aims of this study were to determinate whether pentoxifylline (PTX) increases the motion parameters of fresh and frozen-thawed equine epididymal spermatozoa, to evaluate the tyrosine phosphorylation of frozen-thawed epididymal sperm in the presence of PTX and to determine whether the PTX-treatment of stallion epididymal sperm prior to freezing improves the fertility response of mares to a reduced number of spermatozoa per insemination dose. Fifty epididymis were flushed with a skim milk based extender with or without PTX. The pre-treatment with PTX enhanced the sperm motility after being h...
Use of locking compression plates in ulnar fractures of 18 horses.
Veterinary surgery : VS    February 2, 2017   Volume 46, Issue 2 242-248 doi: 10.1111/vsu.12607
Jacobs CC, Levine DG, Richardson DW.To describe the outcome, clinical findings, and complications associated with the use of the locking compression plate (LCP) for various types of ulnar fractures in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Client owned horses (n = 18). Methods: Medical records, radiographs, and follow-up for horses having an ulnar fracture repaired using at least 1 LCP were reviewed. Fifteen of 18 horses had fractures of the ulna only, and 3 horses had fractures of the ulna and proximal radius. Results: All 18 horses were discharged from the hospital. Complications occurred in 5 horses; incisio...
Investigation of perioperative and anesthetic variables affecting short-term survival of horses with small intestinal strangulating lesions.
Veterinary surgery : VS    February 2, 2017   Volume 46, Issue 3 345-353 doi: 10.1111/vsu.12618
Espinosa P, Le Jeune SS, Cenani A, Kass PH, Brosnan RJ.To determine if preoperative and intraoperative physiologic variables, and surgical factors correlate with survival to anesthetic recovery or hospital discharge, repeat celiotomy, and postoperative nasogastric intubation (NGT) in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for small intestinal (SI) strangulating lesions. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses that had surgical correction of SI strangulating lesions (n = 258). Methods: Medical records (January 2000-December 2014) of horses that had surgical correction of SI strangulating lesions were reviewed. Data collection inclu...
Effect of fluid media on the mechanical properties of continuous pattern-ending surgeon’s, square, and Aberdeen knots in vitro.
Veterinary surgery : VS    February 2, 2017   Volume 46, Issue 2 306-315 doi: 10.1111/vsu.12627
Coleridge M, Gillen AM, Farag R, Hanson RR, Munsterman AS.To investigate the knot holding capacity (KHC) of pattern-ending square, surgeon's and Aberdeen knots each tied in 4 throw combinations using large gauge suture after exposure to media commonly found in equine abdominal surgery. Methods: In vitro mechanical study. Methods: Knotted suture strands (n = 10/group). Methods: Strands of 2 polydioxanone or 3 polyglactin 910 were exposed to 1 of 4 media for 15 minutes. Control suture strands remained dry. Media used included balanced electrolyte solution, 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose, equine serum, or equine fat. Pattern-ending knots for the 3...
Efficacy of two extra-label anthelmintic formulations against equine strongyles in Cuba.
Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports    February 1, 2017   Volume 8 39-42 doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.01.010
Salas-Romero J, Gomez-Cabrera K, Molento MB, Lyons ET, Delgado A, González L, Arenal A, Nielsen MK.Equine cyathostomin parasites are ubiquitous in grazing horses and have been shown to cause severe inflammatory disease in the large intestine of horses. Decades of intensive anthelmintic therapy have led to widespread anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomins across the world. In Cuba, no anthelmintic products are formulated and sold for equine usage and little is known about anthelmintic efficacy of ruminant and swine formulations used. A strongyle fecal egg count reduction test was used to assess the efficacy of a liquid formulation of ivermectin labelled for use in swine, ruminants and carn...
Effect of Delayed Digital Hypothermia on Lamellar Inflammatory Signaling in the Oligofructose Laminitis Model.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    February 1, 2017   Volume 31, Issue 2 575-581 doi: 10.1111/jvim.14633
Dern K, Watts M, Werle B, van Eps A, Pollitt C, Belknap J.In the oligofructose (OF) model of sepsis-related laminitis (SRL), digital hypothermia ("cryotherapy") initiated before the onset of clinical signs is reported not only to limit lamellar injury, but also to cause marked inhibition of lamellar inflammatory signaling. Objective: Because hypothermia also has been reported to be protective when not initiated until the onset of lameness in the OF model of SRL, we hypothesized that the lamellar protection conferred by hypothermia is caused by local lamellar inhibition of inflammatory signaling as described when hypothermia was initiated earlier in t...
Influence of respiratory tract disease and mode of inhalation on detectability of budesonide in equine urine and plasma.
American journal of veterinary research    February 1, 2017   Volume 78, Issue 2 244-250 doi: 10.2460/ajvr.78.2.244
Barton AK, Heinemann H, Schenk I, Machnik M, Gehlen H.OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of respiratory tract disease (ie, recurrent airway obstruction [RAO]) and mode of inhalation on detectability of inhaled budesonide in equine plasma and urine samples. ANIMALS 16 horses (8 healthy control horses and 8 horses affected by RAO, as determined by results of clinical examination, blood gas analysis, bronchoscopy, and cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid). PROCEDURES 4 horses of each group inhaled budesonide (3 μg/kg) twice daily for 10 days while at rest, and the remaining 4 horses of each group inhaled budesonide during lunging ...
Measured and calculated variables of global oxygenation in healthy neonatal foals.
American journal of veterinary research    February 1, 2017   Volume 78, Issue 2 230-238 doi: 10.2460/ajvr.78.2.230
Wong DM, Hepworth-Warren KL, Sponseller BT, Howard JM, Wang C.OBJECTIVE To assess multiple central venous and arterial blood variables that alone or in conjunction with one another reflect global oxygenation status in healthy neonatal foals. ANIMALS 11 healthy neonatal foals. PROCEDURES Central venous and arterial blood samples were collected from healthy neonatal foals at 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 hours after birth. Variables measured from central venous and arterial blood samples included oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, partial pressure of oxygen, lactate concentration, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and pH. Calculated variables included venous-...
Modified Thomas splint-cast combination for the management of limb fractures in small equids.
Veterinary surgery : VS    February 1, 2017   Volume 46, Issue 3 381-388 doi: 10.1111/vsu.12612
Ladefoged S, Grulke S, Busoni V, Serteyn D, Salciccia A, Verwilghen D.To describe the management and outcome of limb fractures in small domestic equids treated with a modified Thomas splint-cast combination (MTSCC). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Client owned horses and donkeys. Methods: Medical records, including radiographs, were reviewed for details of animals diagnosed with a limb fracture and treated by external coaptation using a MTSCC (2001-2012). Follow-up >6 months after discharge was obtained via telephone consultation with owners or veterinarians. Results: Nine horses and 4 donkeys were identified with fractures of the tibial diaphysi...
Immunological, clinical, haematological and oxidative responses to long distance transportation in horses.
Research in veterinary science    January 31, 2017   Volume 115 78-87 doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.01.024
Padalino B, Raidal SL, Carter N, Celi P, Muscatello G, Jeffcott L, de Silva K.Horses are transported frequently and often over long distances. Transportation may represent a physiological stressor with consequential health and welfare implications. This study reports the effects of a long distance journey on immunological, clinical, haematological, inflammatory and oxidative parameters in an Experimental Group (EG) of ten horses, comparing them with six horses of similar age and breed used as a non-transported Control Group (CG). Clinical examination and blood sampling were performed twice on all horses: immediately after unloading for the EG, and at rest on the same da...
Supraglenoid tubercle fractures repair with transverse locking compression plates in 4 horses.
Veterinary surgery : VS    January 30, 2017   Volume 46, Issue 4 507-514 doi: 10.1111/vsu.12600
Ahern BJ, Bayliss IPM, Zedler ST, Getman LM, Richardson DW.To report on a series of 4 horses with supraglenoid tubercle fractures repaired with locking compression plates. Methods: Case series. Methods: Four horses ranging in age from 6 weeks to 20 months and weighing from 121 to 425 kg with supraglenoid tubercle fractures of 1 day to 6 weeks in duration. Methods: Supraglenoid tubercle fractures were reduced and stabilized with transversely positioned locking compression plate(s) with and without additional tension band wiring. Results: All fractures reached bony union. Two postoperative surgical site infections were managed with drainage and antibiot...
Effects of Single-Dose Prucalopride on Intestinal Hypomotility in Horses: Preliminary Observations.
Scientific reports    January 27, 2017   Volume 7 41526 doi: 10.1038/srep41526
Laus F, Fratini M, Paggi E, Faillace V, Spaterna A, Tesei B, Fettucciari K, Bassotti G.Abnormalities of gastrointestinal motility are often a challenge in horses; however, the use of prokinetic drugs in such conditions must be firmly established yet. For this reason we carried out a preliminary study on the effects of prucalopride on intestinal motor activity of horses with gut hypomotility. The effect of prucalopride per os by oral dose syringe (2 mg/100 kg body weight) was assessed by abdominal ultrasound (evaluating duodenal, cecal, and colonic motor activity) in six horses with gut hypomotility. After administration of prucalopride, a significant increase of contractile ...
Cytokine levels in colostrum and in foals’ serum pre- and post-suckling.
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology    January 27, 2017   Volume 185 34-37 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2017.01.007
Mariella J, Castagnetti C, Prosperi A, Scagliarini A, Peli A.The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of IL-4, IL-8, IL-13 and IFN-γ in equine colostrum and in foals' serum. Samples were obtained from 14 mares and their healthy foals. Soon after parturition, 10ml of colostrum was collected, filtered, centrifuged and frozen until assayed. Blood samples were obtained from each foal at birth (TO) and again after 24h (T24), after which they were frozen until assayed. Serum IgG was measured at 24h of age with an immunoturbidimetric quantitative method. Cytokine concentration was determined using commercially available ELISA tests. Statistica...
Evaluation of a Chemiluminescent Immunoassay for Measurement of Equine Insulin.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    January 26, 2017   Volume 31, Issue 2 568-574 doi: 10.1111/jvim.14657
Carslake HB, Pinchbeck GL, McGowan CM.Many diagnostic tests for insulin dysregulation use reference intervals established with an insulin radioimmunoassay (RIA) that is no longer available. A chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) is commonly used for the measurement of serum insulin concentration in clinical practice but requires further validation, especially at clinically relevant reference intervals. Objective: To evaluate the CLIA for measurement of equine insulin and compare it to the previously validated, but now unavailable RIA. Methods: Equine serum samples (n = 78) from clinical and experimental studies. Methods: In this ex...
Occurrence of equine coital exanthema (ECE) in stallions in Japan and effectiveness of treatment with valacyclovir for ECE.
The Journal of veterinary medical science    January 26, 2017   Volume 79, Issue 3 632-635 doi: 10.1292/jvms.16-0511
Toishi Y, Tsunoda N, Kirisawa R.Equine coital exanthema (ECE) has been reported in many countries, but equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) has been isolated only once in Japan. In 2015, symptoms of ECE were found, and EHV-3 was isolated in two stallions. Valacyclovir, an anti-herpesvirus agent, was administered orally. The stallions rested from mating for more than two weeks, causing enormous financial losses because of their high fees. This is the first study in which valacyclovir was administered for ECE. Though valacyclovir treatment did not shorten the duration of healing, the affected area did not expand after administration o...
ECG of the Month.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association    January 25, 2017   Volume 250, Issue 3 278-281 doi: 10.2460/javma.250.3.278
Pereira MM, Jung S, Wooldridge AA.No abstract available
Early volumetric changes after vertical augmentation of the atrophic posterior mandible with interpositional block graft versus onlay bone graft: A retrospective radiological study.
Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery    January 25, 2017   Volume 45, Issue 9 1438-1447 doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2017.01.018
Barone A, Toti P, Menchini-Fabris GB, Felice P, Marchionni S, Covani U.The aim of this study was to evaluate volumetric and clinical outcomes of atrophic posterior mandibles treated with inlay or onlay bone grafting techniques. Methods: In posterior mandibles, alveolar ridges were treated either with interpositional equine cancellous bone block (inlay group) or with onlay autogenous bone block (onlay group). Bone volumes at baseline and at 4 months after surgery were measured by computed tomography. Results: A total of 20 subjects were enrolled in the present study: 10 in the inlay group and 10 in the onlay group. After surgery, atrophic posterior mandibles showe...
Assessment of tuber coxae bone biopsy in the standing horse.
Veterinary surgery : VS    January 23, 2017   Volume 46, Issue 3 396-402 doi: 10.1111/vsu.12603
Mitchell CF, Richbourg HA, Goupil BA, Gillett AN, McNulty MA.To describe a biopsy technique in standing horses with minimal morbidity that consistently provides a substantial bone biopsy with intact, undamaged architecture. Methods: Experimental, prospective study. Methods: Ten Thoroughbred horses. Methods: Biopsies were obtained from the tuber coxae of 10 sedated, standing horses using an oscillating saw. Bilateral biopsies, separated by 60 days, were evaluated with micro-computed tomography (microCT). The first biopsy was prepared for decalcified histology; the second for undecalcified histology. Both biopsies were evaluated qualitatively for histolog...
Presence and distribution of yeasts in the reproductive tract in healthy female horses.
Equine veterinary journal    January 22, 2017   Volume 49, Issue 5 614-617 doi: 10.1111/evj.12657
Azarvandi A, Khosravi AR, Shokri H, Talebkhan Garoussi M, Gharahgouzlou F, Vahedi G, Sharifzadeh A.Yeasts are commensal organisms found in the reproductive and gastrointestinal tracts, and on the skin and other mucosa in mammals. Objective: The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify yeast flora in the caudal reproductive tract in healthy female horses. Methods: Longitudinal study. Methods: A total of 453 samples were collected using double-guarded swabs from the vestibule, clitoral fossa and vagina in 151 horses. All samples were cultured on Sabouraud 4% dextrose agar and incubated at 35°C for 7-10 days. Isolates were identified according to their morphological characteristics a...
Effects of pre-shipping enrofloxacin administration on fever and blood properties in adult Thoroughbred racehorses transported a long distance.
The Journal of veterinary medical science    January 22, 2017   Volume 79, Issue 3 464-466 doi: 10.1292/jvms.16-0465
Endo Y, Ishikawa Y, Arima D, Mae N, Iwamoto Y, Korosue K, Tsuzuki N, Hobo S.To evaluate the effects of single-dose enrofloxacin (ERFX) on fever and blood properties in 68 Thoroughbred racehorses after long-distance transportation, horses were assigned to receive ERFX (5 mg/kg, IV; ERFX group; n=52) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (50 ml, IV; control group; n=16) ≤1 hr before transportation. Horses were transported 1,122 km using commercial vans over the course of approximately 21 hr. Clinical examinations and hematologic analyses were performed before and after transportation. Rectal temperatures, white blood cell counts and serum amyloid A concentration of ERFX grou...
Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in Healthy Horses and in Horses with Heart Disease Using Pulsed-Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    January 21, 2017   Volume 31, Issue 2 556-567 doi: 10.1111/jvim.14641
Koenig TR, Mitchell KJ, Schwarzwald CC.Assessment of left ventricular (LV) function by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is not well established in horses with heart disease. Objective: To describe the use of pulsed-wave (PW) TDI for the assessment of LV function, establish reference intervals, investigate effects of mitral regurgitation (MR), aortic regurgitation (AR), and primary myocardial disease (MD), and provide proof of concept for the use of PW TDI in Warmblood horses with heart disease. Methods: Thirty healthy horses, 38 horses with MR, 25 with AR, 8 with MD. Methods: Echocardiograms were retrospectively analyzed. Reference int...
Histopathological features of endometritis eosinophilica in mares.
Histology and histopathology    January 20, 2017   Volume 32, Issue 11 1161-1173 doi: 10.14670/HH-11-872
Grimm AL, Schoon HA, Schöniger S.Equine endometritis eosinophilica (EE) is rarely described and its diagnostic criteria are not defined. The aim of this study was to characterize histological features of EE. A data base (1995-2013) was searched for biopsies with increased eosinophils. This study included all biopsies with this diagnosis and representative biopsies without this record. The definition of equine EE was based on criteria for EE in women and the results of the determination of physiological numbers of eosinophils within the equine endometrium. EE was diagnosed in 55 mares. Biopsies of 10 mares contained eosinophil...
Influence of 2nd-degree AV blocks, ECG recording length, and recording time on heart rate variability analyses in horses.
Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology    January 20, 2017   Volume 19, Issue 2 160-174 doi: 10.1016/j.jvc.2016.10.006
Eggensperger BH, Schwarzwald CC.To assess the influence of 2nd-degree AV blocks (AVB) on RR interval-based heart rate variability (HRV) variables; to investigate the effect of using PP interval time series and of artifact filtering on HRV analyses; to investigate the influence of electrocardiogram (ECG) recording length and time of recording; and to calculate day-to-day variability and reference intervals of HRV variables. Methods: Thirty healthy adult horses. Methods: RR and PP interval time series were extracted from 10-h Holter ECGs and an automated filter was applied to the RR time series (RR). Time-domain HRV variables...
Pharmacokinetics and in vitro efficacy of salicylic acid after oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid in horses.
BMC veterinary research    January 19, 2017   Volume 13, Issue 1 28 doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-0955-1
Buntenkötter K, Osmers M, Schenk I, Schänzer W, Machnik M, Düe M, Kietzmann M.Although acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is not frequently used as a therapeutic agent in horses, its metabolite SA is of special interest in equestrianism since it is a natural component of many plants used as horse feed. This led to the establishment of thresholds by horse sport organizations for SA in urine and plasma. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma and urine concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) after oral administration of three different single dosages (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to eight horses in a cross-over designed study. Results:...
Detection of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) -1, -2, -4 and -5 in Ethiopian Equids with and without Respiratory Problems and Genetic Characterization of EHV-2 and EHV-5 Strains.
Transboundary and emerging diseases    January 18, 2017   Volume 64, Issue 6 1970-1978 doi: 10.1111/tbed.12601
Negussie H, Gizaw D, Tesfaw L, Li Y, Oguma K, Sentsui H, Tessema TS, Nauwynck HJ.Infections with equine herpesviruses (EHVs) are widespread in equine populations worldwide. Whereas both EHV-1 and EHV-4 produce well-documented respiratory syndromes in equids, the contribution of EHV-2 and EHV-5 to disease of the respiratory tract is still enigmatic. This study describes the detection and genetic characterization of EHVs from equids with and without clinical respiratory disease. Virus-specific PCRs were used to detect EHV-1, -2, -4 and -5. From the total of 160 equids with respiratory disease, EHV-5 was detected at the highest prevalence (23.1%), followed by EHV-2 (20.0%), E...
Evaluation of serum cytokine levels in recurrent airway obstruction.
Polish journal of veterinary sciences    January 17, 2017   Volume 19, Issue 4 785-791 doi: 10.1515/pjvs-2016-0099
Niedźwiedź A, Borowicz H, Kubiak K, Nicpoń J, Skrzypczak P, Jaworski Z, Cegielski M, Nicpoń J.Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) represents a serious health problem and is traditionally classified as an allergic disease, where contact with an antigen can induce clinical airway inflammation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of the Th2 response in the lungs of human patients with asthma and horses with heaves. These cells are involved in the production of cytokines which regulate the synthesis of immunoglobulins. 40 horses were evaluated: 30 horses with RAO and 10 healthy animals. The expression levels of in...
Comparative anatomy and biomechanical properties of atlantoaxial ligaments in equine, bovine, and canine cadaveric specimens.
Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T    January 17, 2017   Volume 30, Issue 3 219-222 doi: 10.3415/VCOT-16-09-0131
Forterre F, Stoffel MH, Koch C, Precht C, Waschk M, Bürki A.Atlantoaxial instability has been reported in humans, dogs, equids and ruminants. The functional role of the atlantoaxial ligaments has only been described rudimentarily in equids and ruminants. The goal of the present cadaveric study was to compare the anatomy between the different species and to comparatively assess the role of the stabilizing ligaments of the atlantoaxial joint under sagittal shear loading in canine, equine, and bovine cervical spines. Methods: Three equine, bovine, and canine cadaveric specimens were investigated. Biomechanical testing was performed using a purpose built s...
Evaluation of the optimal plate position for the fixation of supraglenoid tubercle fractures in warmbloods.
Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T    January 17, 2017   Volume 30, Issue 2 99-106 doi: 10.3415/VCOT-16-08-0121
Frei S, Geyer H, Hoey S, Fuerst AE, Bischofberger AS.To determine scapular cortex thickness, distal scapular bone density and describe the exact suprascapular nerve course to evaluate the best plate position for the fixation of supraglenoid tubercle fractures in horses. Methods: Twelve equine cadaveric shoulders were examined with computed tomography. Computed tomography morphometry and density measurements (Hounsfield units [HU]) of the scapula were recorded. Statistical comparisons were made between the cranial and caudal aspects of the scapula. Dissection of each shoulder was performed and the suprascapular nerve course was described morphome...