The post-operative period in horses refers to the timeframe following surgical procedures during which the animal undergoes recovery and rehabilitation. This period involves careful monitoring and management to ensure proper healing and to minimize complications. Key aspects of the post-operative period include pain management, wound care, and the prevention of infections. Horses may require restricted movement, dietary adjustments, and regular veterinary evaluations to assess recovery progress. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the management strategies, physiological responses, and outcomes associated with the post-operative period in equine patients.
Wagner PC, Grant BD, Kaneps AJ, Watrous BJ.After desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (distal check ligament) had been performed in 40 horses with flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint (contracture of the deep digital flexor tendon), the horses' records were evaluated retrospectively. Information concerning soundness, return to intended purpose, and cosmetic appearance of the limb and hoof was obtained. The condition had been diagnosed and treated in 26 horses before they were one year old (group A, acute) and in 14 horses greater than one year of age (group B, chronic). Nine months to ...
Schneider JE, Adams OR, Easley KJ, Schneider RK, Bramlage LR, Peter J, Boero MJ.Supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle paralysis with atrophy was treated by partial osteotomy of the scapula, deep to the suprascapular nerve. The horses had various gait abnormalities, which were corrected by the surgery, but regeneration of the muscles varied from partial to complete, depending on the duration of the condition and the degree of atrophy before surgery.
Collier MA, Rendano VT, Kallfelz FA.A delayed union metacarpal stress fracture was repaired in a horse, using lag-screw fixation in conjunction with dc electrical stimulation. Twelve weeks after surgery, radiographic and scintigraphic evaluations revealed that the fracture line was not discernible and that there was a decrease in radiopharmaceutic uptake, as compared with that in previous bone imaging studies. In this horse, DC stimulation of a delayed union stress fracture in a bone resulted in a healing pattern similar to that in human beings with delayed union fractures when treated with electrical stimulation.
Adams OR, Schneider RK, Bramlage LR, Easley KJ, Schneider JE.Suprascapular nerve decompression has proven to be a useful treatment for refractory neuropraxia in horses. The surgical procedure used to effect that decompression is described. The surgery can be undertaken when conservative treatment has failed, but the sooner the surgery is done, the more likely the muscle mass is to be cosmetically satisfactory.
Juzwiak JS, Milton JL.A 4-day-old foal underwent repair of a proximal metaphyseal fracture of the tibia. After closed reduction, fixation was achieved by use of blind cross-pinning. Thirty-five days after surgery, radiography demonstrated complete healing. The foal was mildly lame 4 months after repair of the fracture. Blind cross-pinning may be considered as a method of repair for certain long bone fractures in small foals.
Watkins JP, Auer JA, Morgan SJ, Gay S.The effect of pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy on the healing of surgically created defects in equine superficial digital flexor tendons was evaluated. Defects were created in both front superficial digital flexor tendons of 20 horses. The defect in 1 limb was exposed to a PEMF for 2 hours daily. The other limb served as a control. Histologic and immunofluorescent evaluations were done in horse killed at postsurgical weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24. Therapy with the PEMF significantly (P less than 0.05) delayed the maturation of the tissue formed within the defect at postsurgical weeks 8...
Dean PW, Robertson JT, Jacobs RM.In 7 horses, 4 anastomoses were done in the small intestine in each, using the combinations of synthetic absorbable monofilament and multifilament suture materials with continuous- and interrupted-suture patterns in the serosubmucosal layer of a 2-layer inverting-suture technique. Horses were evaluated 30 days after the operation for adhesion formation, lumen diameter, evidence of chronic obstruction, and suture tract inflammation at the anastomosis. Postoperative obstruction occurred in 5 of the 7 horses, and 6 horses survived. One horse was euthanatized on postoperative day 6 after 48 hours ...
Riedesel DH, Hildebrand SV.A syndrome similar to malignant hyperthermia developed in a 545-kg Quarter Horse while anesthetized with halothane for cataract removal. Succinylcholine administration caused prolonged, severe muscle fasciculations followed by tachycardia, and an elevated blood pressure. Later, while the horse was still under anesthesia, its body temperature rose 2 degrees C, and respiratory acidosis developed. Myositis developed after surgery, but the horse recovered.
Jann HW, Cook WR.Monopolar electrosurgical cutting was used to correct epiglottal entrapment in 5 horses. The operations were carried out in the conscious animal, using topical anesthesia. The procedure required the use of a coagulation electrode designed specifically for electrosurgery, introduced through the instrument channel of a fiberoptic endoscope. The results were satisfactory and serious complications were not encountered. In 2 horses, excessive submucosal swelling developed at the site of the surgical wound, and the tumefaction took several weeks to subside in one of these horses. In both horses, the...
Beroza GA, Donawick WJ, Topkis VA.A technique of nasoduodenal (N-D) intubation and intestinal decompression was developed and used in the horse to explore the prevention of gastric and intestinal distention after abdominal surgical operation. Three styles of tubes (2 single-lumen tubes and 1 double-lumen tube) were positioned in the duodenum of 12 mature horses (10 experimental and 2 clinical) during laparotomy (without enterotomy), and an iatrogenic occlusion at the small intestine was created and later released in the 10 experimental horses. The 2 clinical horses had an exploratory laparotomy to correct a natural obstruction...
Dean PW, Robertson JT.Seven horses were used to compare the Gambee, the crushing, and a 2-layer inverting suture pattern composed of a simple continuous layer in the mucosa oversewn with a continuous Lembert pattern in the seromuscular layer. Horses were evaluated at 30 days for adhesion formation, lumen diameter, and quality of healing at the anastomotic sites. One horse was euthanatized 9 days after surgery after 24 hours of ileus and colic; necropsy revealed septic peritonitis and widespread adhesions. One horse had no adhesions. The remaining horses had adhesions associated with 50% of the Gambee and 50% of the...
Embertson RM, Colahan PT, Brown MP, Peyton LC, Schneider RK, Granstedt ME.Twelve cases of ileal impaction in the horse were reviewed. Clinical features of the disease included evidence of mild abdominal pain, reduced or absent intestinal sounds, rectally palpable distended small intestine, gastric reflux, and in the early stages, normal peritoneal fluid. Surgical correction of the impaction was accomplished in 10 horses. Of 8 horses discharged from the hospital, 7 returned to full function. It was concluded that the shorter the duration of colic before surgical intervention, the better the prognosis.
Németh F, Dik KJ.A sagittal fracture of the navicular bone in five horses was treated by means of lag screw. Intra-operative radiographic monitoring and a specially developed guide apparatus was necessary to implant the screw precisely along the transverse axis of the navicular bone. Internal fixation resulted in progressive radiographic narrowing of the fracture zone. In all five patients the fracture healed (bony union) without superfluous callus formation.
Brouwer GJ.A total of 103 anaesthetic inductions were performed in horses for a variety of elective procedures. All cases were premedicated with acepromazine maleate (0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg body weight [bwt] intramuscularly [im]). In 50 cases (Group A) anaesthesia was induced by a single intravenous (iv) bolus of thiopentone sodium (11.1 mg/kg bwt or 1 g/90 kg bwt) followed immediately by a bolus of suxamethonium chloride (0.1 mg/kg bwt). In 53 cases (Group B) anaesthesia was induced using iv guaiacol glycerine ether (GGE) (approximately 50 mg/kg bwt) followed by a bolus of thiopentone at half the usual dose...
Scott EA, Todhunter R.In 2 cases of chronic intestinal intussusception in horses, one involved jejunum and the other, ileum. The only clinical signs observed were intermittent colic. Surgery was performed on both horses, with successful outcomes.
Colbern GT, Aanes WA, Stashak TS.The case records of 47 mares with third-degree perineal lacerations or rectovestibular fistulae were examined to evaluate their fertility following surgical repair. Of 32 mares bred, 24 became pregnant, suggesting that surgical repair is indicated in any mare with sufficient genetic potential. Perineal trauma after surgical repair was recorded in 3 of 20 mares at subsequent parturition.
Diehl M, Gerber H, Schifferli D, Nicolet J.A systemic investigation of wound infection in the horse after operative treatment of large wounds reveals that the age of the wound is of critical importance. The limit for an uncomplicated healing process lies around four hours. The duration of the operation itself is of little significance, the location of the lesion on the body of the horse, however, plays a major role. The pattern of isolated bacterial organisms is discussed in relation to the duration of hospital treatment. It is concluded that a systemic antibiotic therapy is of no value and that a local antibiotic therapy is only indic...
Becker M, Breuer D.The results of the ileus surgery in horses by a consistent performing of a known and standardised clinical and operative procedure are very good, provided that there are surgeons who have experience in abdominal surgery and that there is a co-operating team for the pre- and post-operative care.
Taylor PM, Hall LW.Anaesthesia was induced in 24 horses with xylazine and ketamine and maintained with halothane (12 cases) or enflurane (12 cases) in oxygen. Pulse rate, arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gas values, respiratory rate and tidal volume were measured at regular intervals during anaesthesia. Serial venous blood samples were taken for assay of glucose, urea, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase. Operating conditions and the horses' behaviour in the recovery period were also recorded. In the case ...
Becker M.During the last 10 years 268 laparotomies by a midline incision were performed. A high incidence of seromas, fistulas caused by suturing material and wound ruptures were observed. After finding only a small number of publications in the veterinary medicine about wound healing disturbances an analysis of the human medical literature was done. This induced the change of our surgical procedure and suturing technique: The midline incision and surgical management during the laparotomies in 14 horses suffering from colic were performed by a minimized trauma. The abdominal wall was closed layer by la...
Steenhaut M, Verschooten F, De Moor A.Arthrodesis of the pastern joint was performed in six horses with a history of acute trauma and in 10 horses with a history of chronic lameness of one to six months duration. Five surgical techniques were employed: curettage of the joint, lag screw compression and immobilisation in a plaster cast; curettage, compression using a T plate and immobilisation; drilling, lag screw compression and immobilisation; lag screw compression and immobilisation; and curettage and immobilisation. Pre- and postoperative clinical course are described together with significant radiographical findings. The best r...
van der Velden MA, Verzijlenberg F.The surgical treatment of eighty-nine horses and ponies suffering from chronic empyema of the maxillary sinus is reported. Treatment consisted in trephination and drainage of the sinus involved in thirty-six animals; the affected teeth were removed at the same time in fifty-three animals in which sinusitis was caused by an alveolitis. The recovery rate was seventy-five per cent in group one and seventy per cent in group two. Postoperative treatment is also reported and attention is paid to complications which may occur during and after surgery.
Cox JE.A simple technique for castration of adult horses which results in first intention healing was devised. The technique involves a 'closed' castration with or without a transfixed ligature on the spermatic sac and suturing the scrotal skin with polyglycolic acid suture material. The postoperative course was characterised by mild oedema only and by rapid recovery. The results obtained during the course of removing 311 scrotal testes from horses and donkeys of all ages are described and discussed. The technique is readily applicable in the field.
Richardson DW.Fifteen longitudinal fractures involving the medial condyle of the third metatarsal bone were diagnosed in racing Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. Twelve were repaired surgically with lag screws placed through stab incisions. Two of the horses suffered catastrophic fracture of the third metatarsal bone during recovery from anesthesia, and 3 more sustained complete fractures within 4 days of the repair. Of 3 horses with fractures treated without surgery, 2 healed without complication. Preoperative radiography did not demonstrate a nonlongitudinal fracture component in any of the horses that sus...
Colbern GT, Moore JN.A patellar fracture was identified radiographically in the right stifle of a mature Tennessee Walking Horse stallion. The horse was markedly lame (grade IV/V) on the right hindlimb. Due to the articular nature and small size of the fragment, surgical removal via arthrotomy was selected. A dorsomedial approach to the femoropatellar joint was used. The horse recovered well and has returned to training as a show horse by 8 months following surgery.
McCoy DJ, Shires PK, Beadle R.Atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to odontoid fracture in a 30-day-old foal was corrected by alignment of the atlantoaxial joint and stabilization with 2 ventrally placed dynamic compression plates. At 90 days after surgery, healing of the fracture, with adequate alignment of the atlantoaxial joint, was confirmed radiographically. The foal was only slightly tetraparetic at that time. At 1 year after surgery, the gait was normal. It was concluded that the technique has advantages over the use of Steinmann's pins or external coaptation for stabilization. The ventral approach allows decompressio...
Smith KM, Barber SM.A two year old Thoroughbred gelding, presented with guttural pouch hemorrhage, had the internal and external carotid arteries ligated. Guttural pouch mycosis was detected on endoscopic examination. After one month of topical antifungal therapy, the horse was returned and euthanized because of recurrent epistaxis. A bacterial infection of the guttural pouch with associated ulceration and hemorrhage from the maxillary artery was found at necropsy.A two year old grade gelding had ulceration and hemorrhage from the external carotid artery. Utilizing balloon-tipped catheters and arterial ligation, ...
Lavach JD, Severin GA, Roberts SM.Perforating corneal wounds in horses have a better prognosis than wounds that involve both cornea and sclera. Sharp objects tend to produce more isolated corneal wounds and have a better prognosis than do wounds produced by blunt objects. The records of 43 horses that sustained penetrating wounds of the cornea were reviewed. In addition, the surgical approach and postoperative wound management is described. The report attempts to provide more information regarding the management of ocular trauma in horses.
Gideon L.Esophageal anastomosis was performed on 2 foals after resecting a midcervical stricture. Nasogastric tube alimentation and antibiotic therapy allowed these foals to recover, and they matured to useful performing horses. These cases demonstrated a feasible and successful surgical management regimen for the strictured esophagus.
Southwood LL, Lindermann J, Zarucco L, Driessen B, Olander H, Habecker P, Birks EK, Frisbie DD.Growth factors (GF) are important for maintenance and repair of intestinal mucosal structure and function, but there have been no studies investigating growth factor (GF) or growth factor receptor (GF-R) mRNA expression in the intestine of horses with large colon volvulus (LCV). Objective: (1) To determine mRNA expression for epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF receptor (EGF-R), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF), IGF receptor (IGF-R), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor (VEGF-R) in the intestine of horses with an LCV compared to normal intestine. (2) To measure the corr...
Koenig JB, Silveira A, Cribb NC, Piat P, Laverty S, Sorge US.The main objective of this retrospective study was to describe clinical findings, management, and short- and long-term outcome in 27 horses that underwent various surgical techniques for esophageal disease. Surgical techniques (sometimes concurrently) performed were: esophagostomy ( = 14), esophagotomy with primary closure ( = 6), esophagomyotomy ( = 3), and esophagoplasty ( = 2). Esophageal perforation in 5 horses was treated by ventral drainage; 3 horses had the esophageal defect sutured ( = 3). Feeding tubes were placed in 15 horses. Postoperative complications occurred in 52% (14/27) with ...
Kirker-Head CA, Jakob TP.An Arabian mare was referred with traumatically induced complete transection of the trachea. A temporary airway was established through the open wound at the site of the rupture. Resection of devitalized tissue including 3 tracheal ring segments, and anastomosis of the tracheal ends was subsequently performed under general anesthesia. Wound healing was complicated by a peritracheal abscess, which responded successfully to drainage and antibiotic administration.
Within the veterinary world, data regarding the surgical management of hypospadias is lacking. Reports within equines have documented resective phallectomy procedures rather than urethral reconstruction. This case report documents the first ever urethroplasty for an equine hypospadias, performed by a consultant paediatric surgeon. The urethroplasty was achieved by applying the same surgical principles mastered from paediatric urology to a horse. The indication for surgery was contact dermatitis of the hind-leg, which impaired the thoroughbred foal's racing potential. Methods: A single stage ur...
Mannaa M, Shamaa AA, Shawky A, Hassan IM, Refaey AM, Abu-Seida AM.Cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM), also known as equine wobbler syndrome or cervical ataxia, is a devastating neurological syndrome resulting from compression of the spinal cord at the cervical region. This report describes a novel surgical technique for treatment of 16-month-old Arabian filly with CVSM. The filly showed grade 4 ataxia, hypermetria, weakness of the hind limbs, stumbling during walking, and abnormal gait. Case history, clinical signs and myelography revealed spinal cord compression between the C3 and C4 and C4-C5. The filly underwent a novel surgical interference fo...
Galuppo LD, Simpson EL, Greenman SL, Dowd JP, Ferraro GL, Meagher DM.To report clinical evaluation of headless compression screws for repair of metacarpal/metatarsal (MC/MT3) condylar fractures in horses. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Racing Thoroughbreds (n=16) with nondisplaced lateral condylar fractures of MC/MT 3. Methods: Medical records (1999-2004) of horses with nondisplaced longitudinal fractures of the lateral condyle of MC/MT3 were reviewed. Pre-operative variables retrieved were: patient age, gender, limb involvement, injury occurrence, fracture length, and width, evidence of palmar comminution and degenerative joint disease, number of ...
Berlin D, Steinman A, Raz T.The aim of this prospective study was to investigate possible endocrine components to foal rejection behaviour in post-partum Arabian mares. Arabian mares were divided into two groups based on their maternal behaviour: (1) mares with normal post-parturient behaviour (8 mares); and (2) mares that demonstrated foal-rejecting behaviour post-partum (15 mares). Most mares were visited and sampled twice, in the first and third days post-partum. Serum samples were used for measurement of progesterone, oestradiol and prolactin concentrations. There were no statistically significant differences in oest...
Merchán A, Voss JK, Dubois MS.The satisfactory outcome of fungal osteitis in an 8-year-old American Quarter Horse is described. The horse was admitted with a grade 4 out of 5 lameness and exhibited metacarpophalangeal synovial effusion, indicative of a mild suppurative inflammation. Results of initial radiographic and ultrasonographic examination were unremarkable. Intra-articular anesthesia of the metacarpophalangeal joint allowed localization of the insult. It was not until day 6 of hospitalization when lytic changes on the axial aspect were observed on radiographic examination. Arthroscopic examination permitted identif...
Dart AJ, Snyder JR, Pascoe JR.A 17-year-old Quarter Horse, Arabian crossbred mare presented with a history of having had abdominal pain for 2 d. At surgery there was 2.6 m of descending colon strangulated within the pedicle of a mesenteric lipoma. The lipoma was resected and the descending colon appeared viable so was replaced, and the mare recovered from anaesthesia. Post-operatively, the mare failed to stabilise so was taken back to surgery. There was 2 m of infarcted descending colon which was resected and anastomosed. A drain and stainless steel stay sutures were incorporated into the ventral suture line. Post-operativ...
Shires GM, Adair HS, Patton CS.In an attempt to ablate the laryngeal saccule as an alternative method of sacculectomy (conventially done through a laryngotomy incision for laryngeal hemiplegia) a neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser was used transendoscopically in noncontact fashion in 6 horses. The procedure was easy, quick, and labor-saving, with few complications. Endoscopically, the lased sacculectomy site appeared healed at postsurgical day 42. On postsurgical day 42, microscopic examination revealed mucosal remnants under the granulation bed. Laser energy caused thermal damage to tissues adjacent to the lased saccu...
Henderson B, Bramlage LR, Koenig J, Monteith G.To assess the influence of humeral stress fracture location on the time to return to racing and postinjury performance of thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Retrospective study (1992-2015). Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses (n = 131) that presented for lameness with the sole diagnosis of humeral stress fractures in the lame limb, as determined by scintigraphy or radiology. Methods: Sex, fracture site, age, starts, earnings, and average earnings per race were examined for differences in pre-stress and post-stress fracture diagnosis for the entire population as well as individual stress fracture l...
Fubini SL, Cummings JF, Todhunter RJ.Painful neuroma formation after palmar digital neurectomy in the horse is common. Experimentally, injection of doxorubicin (Adriamycin) into the proximal transected nerve stump has been shown to prevent axon sprouting and neuroma formation for up to 5 months. This procedure was used in 28 horses with navicular disease, preexisting painful neuroma, or wing fractures of the distal phalanx. At 1 month, 16 horses had incisional complications. At 1 year, 15 horses were sound. Eight horses were lame, although three were improved. Three horses required a second surgical procedure, two of which became...
Denny HR.Methods of treating fractures of the olecranon in the horse are reviewed. A further 4 cases are recorded in which the fracture was treated by open reduction and fixation with a heavy duty Venable's plate placed on the caudal aspect of the ulna. Three cases had an oblique fracture through the semilunar notch; this was complicated in one by a fracture of the lateral half of the radial head which resulted in subluxation of the radio-humeral joint. The fracture of the radial head was treated by open reduction and fixation with a lag screw. The fourth case had an oblique fracture of the olecranon j...
Blikslager AT, Bristol DG, Bowman KF, Engelbert TA.To determine the feasibility of performing a single-incision loop colostomy for treatment of grade-3 rectal tears in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Seven adult horses with grade-3 rectal tears. Methods: A single-incision loop colostomy was performed with horses under general anesthesia (n = 6) or while restrained in standing stocks (n = 1). The rectal tear was lavaged via an endoscope. The colostomy was resected after the rectal tear healed. Results: Rectal tears ranged from 4 to 10 cm in diameter and were > 25 cm proximal to the anus. All horses survived colostomy surger...
Ralston SL, Sullins KE, Stashak TS.The effect of 60% resection of the large colon vs ischemic insult without resection on the ability of horses to digest grass hay was investigated. Digestion trials were performed on 9 horses before surgery (base line) and 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. The percentage of apparent digestion of crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc was calculated. Horses that had resection (n = 5) had decreased apparent digestion of crude protein, crude fiber, and phosphorus 3 weeks after surgery, compared with those in horses...
Bertone AL, Cockerell GL, Lee RE, Stashak TS.Light microscopy, morphometry, and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the mucosal morphologic features of 7 intestinal specimens (3 from the small intestine; 4 from the large intestine) from each of 8 horses 1 year after sham operation (group 1; n = 3) or extensive large-colon resection (group 2; n = 5). Qualitative light microscopic examination did not reveal differences between groups, but morphometry revealed significantly (P less than 0.05) greater intercrypt area and distance in horses with colon resection and this was most pronounced in the cecum and remaining right ventra...
Reginato GM, Xavier NV, Alonso BB, Lima DP, Pereira Sirqueira TC, Carregaro AB.The study evaluated the effect of a 1/10 dose of flunixin meglumine administered into the governing vessel 1 (GV1) acupoint in horses that underwent castration. Twenty animals received 0.02 mg/kg detomidine intravenously, followed by 2.2 mg/kg ketamine and 0.1 mg/kg diazepam by the same route, and also a local anesthesia with 30 mL lidocaine. As postoperative analgesia, the animals received 1.1 mg/kg flunixin meglumine IV (FIV) or 0.11 mg/kg flunixin meglumine into the GV1 acupoint (FGV). Behavioral parameters were assessed 12 hours before the procedure (baseline) and at 4, 6, 12, and 2...
Yarbrough TB, Voss E, Herrgesell EJ, Shaw M.To report the clinical signs and management of 4 foals with persistent frenulum of the epiglottis. Methods: Case report. Methods: Four newborn foals. Methods: Foals were admitted with a complaint of oronasal reflux after nursing. Variable systemic signs of aspiration pneumonia were evident. Nasal endoscopy confirmed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis, confirmed by oral endoscopic examination, was transected. Results: After surgery, all foals had the epiglottis positioned normally, dorsal to the soft palate. Clinical signs of oronasal reflux...
Pala S, Hänninen NE, Mohammadi A, Ebrahimi M, Te Moller NCR, Brommer H, René van Weeren P, Mäkelä JTA, Korhonen RK, Afara IO, Töyräs J....The aim of this study is to assess whether articular cartilage changes in an equine model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), induced by surgical creation of standard (blunt) grooves, and very subtle sharp grooves, could be detected with ex vivo T relaxation time mapping utilizing three-dimensional (3D) readout sequence with zero echo time. Grooves were made on the articular surfaces of the middle carpal and radiocarpal joints of nine mature Shetland ponies and osteochondral samples were harvested at 39 weeks after being euthanized under respective ethical permissions. T relaxation times ...
Lizarraga I, Panizzi L, Gieseg MA, Riley CB, Chambers JP.To evaluate thermal nociceptive thresholds (TNTs) before and after inducing a standardized radiocarpal bone osteochondral fracture (OCF) in horses. Methods: Prospective, controlled, randomized, masked study. Methods: A group of 10 Thoroughbred fillies aged 2 years. Methods: Skin temperature and TNTs were measured on the skin over the triceps brachii muscle in both the thoracic limbs before (week 0) and weekly (weeks 1-8) after unilateral arthroscopic induction of a radiocarpal OCF (n = 4) or sham surgery (n = 6) followed by a standardized exercise programme. The contralateral, non-operated t...
Barker WH, Wright IM.A technique for minimally invasive repair of slab fractures of the third tarsal bone has not previously been reported. Results of third tarsal bone slab fracture repair in Thoroughbred racehorses are lacking. Objective: To report the outcomes of repair of uniplanar frontal slab factures of the third tarsal bone using a single 3.5 mm cortex screw in lag fashion. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Case records of horses that had undergone this procedure were reviewed. Results: Seventeen horses underwent surgery. Eighteen percent of cases had wedge shaped third tarsal bones. A point mid...
Hackett ES, Bruemmer J, Hendrickson DA, McCue PM.Description-An 11-year-old Quarter Horse stallion was admitted for intermittent hemospermia of 4 years' duration. Results: A linear vertical defect had been detected endoscopically following multiple episodes of hemospermia on the caudodorsal convex surface of the urethra at the level of the ischial arch. Results: When sexual rest alone did not result in complete healing of the urethral defect, a subischial urethrotomy and buccal mucosal urethroplasty were performed. The surgical site healed without complication. Four months of sexual rest was recommended after surgery. Repeat endoscopy at 4 m...
Warnock WR, Marsh CA, Hand DR.The purpose of this study was to report long-term outcome following arthroscopic debridement of articular cartilage lesions of the distal interphalangeal joint, diagnosed with high-field magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnosis was based on the results of diagnostic anesthesia, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthroscopy. Ten horses underwent arthroscopic evaluation for cartilage injury and received various intra-articular therapies after surgery. Three of ten horses had lesions that were surgically inaccessible. Four horses became sound and returned to their preoperative level of athletici...
Chesnel MA, Aprea F, Clutton RE.A traumatic pneumothorax and severe hemorrhage were present in a mare with a large thoracic wall defect, lung perforation, and multiple rib fractures. General anesthesia was induced to allow surgical exploration. We describe the anesthetic technique, and discuss the management of the ventilatory, hemodynamic, and metabolic disturbances encountered. Gestion de l’anesthésie générale d’un cheval avec un pneumothorax d’origine traumatique. Nous décrivons le cas d’une jument présentée avec un important déficit de la paroi thoracique d’origine traumatique, une perforation pulmonaire...
Sullins KE, Stashak TS.Six normal adult horses had large colon resections at the sternal and diaphragmatic flexures. Stainless steel staples were used to close the stumps of the dorsal and ventral colons in all six. Intestinal continuity was restored with a side-to-side anastomosis of the dorsal and ventral colons. Three of these anastomoses were performed with staples, and three with a double inverting suture pattern. After one month, the horses were surgically reevaluated, and the anastomotic sites were examined. There was no significant difference between the stoma sizes in the two groups. No complications were o...
Savelberg HH, Buchner HH, Becker CK.The recovery process of the equine locomotor system after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL-DDFT) was investigated by studying the movement patterns and joint moments in 6 horses before and 10 days and 6 months following surgery. Using a modified CODA-3 system the joint angles and angular velocities of the lower limb were assessed in the operated forelimb as before the operation. Simultaneously ground reaction forces were measured and joint moments calculated. At 10 days and 6 months after the operation the carpal joint started to bend earlier in the sta...
Smanik LE, Stefanovski D, Reilly PT, Richardson DW.Type II distal phalanx (P3) fractures are a well-described cause of lameness in horses. Reports on outcome following internal fixation of type II P3 fractures are lacking, and with little emphasis on complications. Objective: To describe a technique for internal fixation of type II P3 fractures, and evaluate whether specific variables influenced post-operative complications or a horse's ability to return to work. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of 51 horses with CT-guided internal fixation of type II P3 fractures were reviewed. Outcome data were acquired from race ...
Tuska P, Tóth B, Vásárhelyi G, Hangody L, Papp M, Bodó G.The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in biomarker and synovial parameters following autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) in the equine stifle joint, to test the hypothesis whether synovial parameters would show significant differences at selected time points following the surgery (at days 3, 14, 60 and 180) compared to baseline level (at day 0). Surgical intervention was performed in both stifles of nine horses (n = 18). The joints were randomly assigned to operated and sham-operated groups. Grafts 8.5 mm in diameter were harvested from the femoropatellar (FP) joint unde...
Pezzanite LM, Hackett ES.To compare survival and complications in horses undergoing large colon resection with either sutured end-to-end or stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Twenty-six client-owned horses with gastrointestinal disease. Methods: Retrospective data were retrieved from the medical records of 26 horses undergoing colectomy, including 14 horses with sutured end-to-end and 12 horses with stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses, between 2003 and 2016. Records were evaluated for signalment, medical and surgical treatments, and survival to hospital disch...
Trotter GW.Numerous conditions, including trauma, infection, neoplasia, and developmental problems, can affect the paranasal sinuses. Successful resolution of these problems is predicated upon a thorough diagnostic workup to ensure the most accurate presumptive diagnosis. Surgical intervention is enhanced by using approaches that allow wide access to sinus compartments. Rigorous postoperative management is also important to a successful outcome.
