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.
Raphel CF, Beech J.Of 122 horses with pleural effusion, 90 (73.8%) had pleuritis secondary to pneumonia or lung abscessation. Fifty-one horses died or were euthanatized. The highest prevalence was in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. Eleven (12.2%) horses were postsurgical patients and 22 (24.4%) horses had been transported over 500 miles. There was no relationship between final outcome and the age, sex, breed, hematologic values, or laboratory findings pertaining to pleural fluid except for the bacterial isolation of Escherichia coli from the pleural fluid, as this was more frequently associated with de...
Waterman AE, Jones RS, Richards DL.The study examines the efficiency of a demand valve in administering oxygen to horses post-anesthesia. It finds that the use of the demand valve corrects potentially dangerous levels of low […]
White NA, Blackwell RB, Hoffman PE.Salter-Harris type II proximal tibial fractures were repaired in two 1-month-old foals, using a dynamic compression plate. The plate was placed on the medial aspect of the tibia, and a single cancellous bone screw was used to reduce the proximal fragment displacement. The plate provided fixation during healing and functioned as a transphyseal bridge, which induced a disparity in growth and corrected a slight lateral angulation of the limb. Limb growth after plate removal was normal.
Bramlage LR, Hanes GE.A 3-year-old Thoroughbred mare was examined because of hindlimb lameness from incomplete fracture of the tibia, which became a complete diaphyseal fracture during the examination. The fracture was repaired by open reduction and internal fixation with lag screws and 2 neutralization plates. A cranial approach was used and the plates were placed craniolateral and medial on the tibia. At 18 months after surgery, there was no evidence of complications resulting from the fracture or its repair. It was concluded that a cranial approach with craniolateral and medial plate placement allows easier inse...
McIlwraith CW.The postoperative management of the surgical colic patient varies according to the complications experienced. Many of these complications can be related to the time at which surgery is performed
relative to commencement of the problem, the condition of the patient at the time of surgery, the particular condition, and, last but not
least, the surgeon's performance. Some of the points have been discussed elsewhere in the symposium. The maintenance of asepsis, attention to minimizing trauma to the bowel, and appropriate attention
to visceral and parietal closures are all important principles. ...
Booth LC.Single or multiple split-thickness autogenous skin transplants were applied to 20 limb wounds of 17 horses. The surface area of the wounds ranged from 25 to 200 sq cm. Grafts 0.635-mm thick were collected by use of an electric dermatome and were expanded on a mesh dermatome. The expanded mesh grafts were applied to wounds on 3 horses 4 days after injury. For the other 14 horses, grafts were applied after a granulation tissue bed had formed. The grafts were secured to the recipient beds with sutures and a dressing composed of a foam pad and elastic adhesive tape or with the dressing alone. Furt...
Edwards GB.During a 3 year period 20 horses with bone spavin were treated by surgical arthrodesis of the affected joints. The horses chosen for surgery were those with osteoarthritis, but with little or no evidence of periostitis. Whenever possible they were examined periodically during the postoperative period to evaluate the lameness and to assess the progress of ankylosis by radiography. Three of the horses were still lame 12 months later. The remainder returned to normal work, although one subsequently developed spavin in the other hock and was destroyed. The earliest return to soundness was 3 1/2 mo...
Bowman KF, Tate LP, Evans LH, Donawick WJ.Seven foals, 2 horses, and 2 calves were presented to the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at New Bolton Center and the Large Animal Clinic at Auburn University for surgical repair of cleft palate. All animals had preexisting pneumonia. Initial repair of cleft palate in 6 foals, 2 horses, and 2 calves was performed via mandibular symphysiotomy. Primary repair of cleft soft palate in a foal was attempted through a pharyngotomy incision after fracture of the basal hyoid bone; however, exposure was inadequate and mandibular symphysiotomy had to be done. Dehiscence of a portion of the ...
Loy RG, Evans MJ, Pemstein R, Taylor TB.Treatment of foaling mares with 150 mg progesterone and 10 mg oestradiol daily beginning within 12 h of parturition resulted in a delay of ovulation (15.6 +/- 2.6 days compared with 10.3 +/- 2.4 days in untreated mares). When mares were mated after this 5.3-day delay there was no advantage in reproductive performance over that of mares mated according to a conventional management system. Gonadotrophin secretion was inhibited during treatment but the following secretory patterns were similar to those of normal oestrous periods.
Goulden BE, Anderson LG.During the years 1971-1979, 127 horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia were studied. The physical characteristics and clinical signs observed in this study were recorded in Part I and Part II of ths series of papers. Of these 127 horses, 81 were treated by the laryngoplasty procedure. Complications of surgery are described and the effects of the operation on respiratory noise and performance are evaluated. In 54.8% of horses the chronic respiratory noise observed during exercise was apparently diminished or eliminated post-operatively. The performance of 44% of horses was apparently improved af...
Lindsay WA, McMartin RB, McClure JR.Five cases of fracture of the third tarsal bone in racehorses are reported. A method of surgical correction employing a cortical bone screw is described in 2 cases. Healing of the fractures was followed radiographically. Surgical repair permitted both horses to return to competition. The 3 cases treated conservatively suffered a prolonged healing time and excessive new bone formation. They were unable to return to training due to persistent lameness.
Steiner JV, Rendano VT.An aneurysmal bone cyst was diagnosed in the distal metaphysis of Mt3 in a 9-month-old-Quarter Horse colt. The lesion developed between the fifth and ninth month of life and clinically appeared as a non-painful swelling which did not cause a lameness. Radiographs of the lesion showed expansion of the cortex and incomplete septa of new bone extending from the cortex into surrounding soft tissue. Surgical intervention revealed a blood filled cavity. The animal died during the immediate post-surgical period. Histopathologic evaluation of the lesion was performed.
Bosu WT, Van Camp SC, Miller RB, Owen RR.A five year prospective study of equine ovarian problems requiring surgical correction was undertaken at the Ontario Veterinary College. Thirty mares were studied, of which 14 had granulosa cell tumors, six were with anovulatory persistent follicular "structures", five had ovarian hemotoma, two presented ovarian hypoplasia and one each of ovarian dysgerminoma, teratoma and abscessation. The clinical signs manifested by the affected animals were varied. The affected ovaries were removed via flank or midline laparotomy or through colpotomy. Their morphology was studied and representative portion...
Friend SC.Two horses died of massive myonecrosis following surgery. The hematological, biochemical and pathological changes are described and compared with those previously reported in the literature.
van Veenendaal JC, Speirs VC, Harrison I.A surgical technique of open drainage, using penrose drains and pressure bandages, was used for the treatment of hygromata in four horses. In 3 cases with hygroma of the carpus, one with a secondary infection, there was complete resolution of the condition whereas in the one case with hygroma of the elbow resolution was more protracted because of difficulties in bandaging. The cosmetic and functional results after operation were most satisfactory.
Lindsay WA, Horney FD.During a 6-year period, carpal arthrotomies were performed on 89 horses with carpal fractures. Fifty-two percent of the fractures involved the left forelimb; the 3rd carpal bone was most often involved (42%), followed by the radial carpal bone (30%). The effect of surgery on the performance of a subgroup of 48 thoroughbreds was evaluated by comparing the number of starts, level of racing (claiming value), and earnings for the 12 months of racing preceding and following arthrotomy. The data indicated that carpal arthrotomy in the Thoroughbred carries with it a favorable prognosis inasmuch as 80...
Smith WN.A system using a suitably sized flotation tank has been developed to reduce the weight that horses and cattle place upon their legs after undergoing surgery to their limbs. The system overcomes the need for the patient to lie down for long periods, thus preventing decubitus. The system is well tolerated with few side effects; after prolonged flotation alopecia may occur on those parts of the patient which remain continuously immersed in water. The method is now commonly referred to as the 'Queensland Sling'.
Genetzky RM, Schneider EJ, Butler HC, Guffy MM.Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint in horses, with 2 screws crisscrossing the joint, was compared with arthrodesis achieved by placement of 3 screws crossing the joint parallel to the long axis of the bone. The comparison was made by means of radiography, gross and histologic examinations, and motion evaluation. Additionally, the fused 1st and 2nd phalanges resulting from each method were subjected to breaking forces. Motion evaluation and direct examination of the fused area demonstrated that either procedure can be used to achieve arthrodesis consistently, and the breaking pro...
Pascoe JR, Meagher DM, Wheat JD.Uterine torsion was diagnosed in 26 mares of various breeds. The mean duration of gestation was 9.6 months. The most common clinical history was intermittent unresponsive colic of varying duration. Diagnosis of uterine torsion was confirmed by rectal palpation, and surgical correction was achieved in most cases by standing flank laparotomy and manual repositioning of the gravid uterus. Recumbent laparotomy was used only if the mare was intractable, the uterus was ruptured, or hysterotomy was indicated. Of 20 foals determined to be alive during surgery, 14 (70%) were subsequently born alive.
Fackelman GE, von Rechenberg B, Fetter AW.The need for early postoperative weight bearing following fracture repair in the horse has led to investigation of various means of expediting the healing process. Bone grafting represents one means of accomplishing this, and the transplantation of autologous tissues has proven to be most useful in equine orthopedics. Acid-decalcified, frozen, allogeneic bone for grafting is easy to prepare, readily contoured, osteogenic, and elicits no obvious immune or rejection response. The most compelling reason for the use of the substance is the elimination of the need of a harvesting operation on a pat...
Stick JA, Derksen FJ, Scott EA.Cervical esophagostomy for tube feeding was evaluated in 11 ponies. Minor complications responded to supportive therapy in 8 ponies. Two died of complications, and 1 pony had a permanent fistula because of persistent infection. There was a positive correlation between the duration of tube feeding and the event of closure of the esophageal stoma after the tube was removed. There was no difference in the frequency of complications related to duration of tube feeding. When the distal end of the feeding tube was located in the thoracic portion of the esophagus, instead of in the stomach, tubes wer...
Holmberg DL.Four horses with corneal perforations of various etiologies were presented for surgical correction. Pedicle grafts taken from the bulbar or palpebral conjunctiva were used to repair the defects. Two horses regained functional vision in the affected eyes while a third had significant impairment. The fourth eye, which had an intense uveitis pre and postoperative, became phthisic and blind.
Easley KJ, Schneider JE.In 9 horses, osteotomies were performed to simulate accessory carpal bone fractures. Screw fixation, aided by a large C-clamp, was performed on 6 of the 9 horses. Three were treated conservatively, as controls, with fractures not repaired; they remained clinically lame throughout the 6-month study. Fibrocartilaginous nonunion developed in each of the 3 controls. At 150 days, the principals were free of lameness, with evidence of bony union. The results of clinical, radiographic, and pathologic evaluations showed surgical repair to be superior to prolonged rest in treating equine accessory carp...
Lisowski ZM, Lefevre L, Mair TS, Clark EL, Hudson NPH, Hume DA, Pirie RS.Studies in rodents and humans have demonstrated that intestinal manipulation or surgical trauma initiates an inflammatory response in the intestine which results in leucocyte recruitment to the muscularis externa causing smooth muscle dysfunction. Objective: To examine the intestinal inflammatory response in horses undergoing colic surgery by measuring relative differential gene expression in intestinal tissues harvested from surgical colic cases and control horses. Methods: Prospective case-control study. Methods: Mucosa and muscularis externa were harvested from healthy margins of resected s...
Lykkjen S, Strand E, Haga HA, Lie KI.To report treatment and wound healing after radical surgical mass excision in the equine buccal region. Methods: Clinical case reports. Methods: An 11-year-old Warmblood gelding and a 9-year-old Norwegian Trotter gelding. Methods: Large tumoral masses were removed from the buccal region by radical electrosurgery, creating large defects into the oral cavity. Wound ultimately healed by second intention. Results: Buccal defects in both horses healed well by second intention without tumor recurrence. Conclusions: Locally invasive tumors involving the cheek region of the horse can be successfully t...
Espinosa-Mur P, Spriet M, Nogues MP, Cullen T, Galuppo LD.A 16-year-old, Quarter Horse mare was presented for a 3/5 right hind lameness associated with osteoarthritis of the talocalcaneal joint (TCLJ). Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated marked increased uptake of 18F-sodium fluoride and bone remodeling at the medial facet of the TCLJ, respectively. Under general anesthesia 2 cortical screws (4.5 and 5.5 mm) were placed in neutral fashion via an arthrotomy from dorsomedial to plantaromedial through the medial facet of the TCLJ followed by copious lavage of the tarsocrural joint. Eight weeks after surgery, obse...
Ratliff BL, Bauck AG, Roe HA, Freeman DE.To describe a 3-wire method with endoscopic guidance for extensive nasal septum resection. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirteen horses with nasal septum diseases. Methods: In anesthetized horses in left lateral recumbency, endoscopic guidance was used to place obstetrical wires for the ventral and caudal incisions in the nasal septum and a trephine opening was used to place the dorsal wire. The rostral aspect of the septum was incised with a scalpel, followed by incisions with the preplaced wires, and the nasal passages were packed with gauze. Horses were recovered with a temporary ...
Waugh SL, Campbell KB, Klavano PA, Grant BD.A surgical thoracotomy and implantation of an electromagnetic flow probe around the ascending aorta and catheters in the left ventricular (LV) apex of the horse were evaluated. Sixteen operations were done: 4 horses were used for acute experiments, 4 horses died from surgical manipulation, and 8 horses were studied chronically for 18 to 57 days. The electromagnetic flow probe allowed continuous measurement of stroke volume and heart rate. The LV apical catheters, in conjunction with thermal dilution techniques and pressure-sensitive devices, allowed measurement and calculation of mean arterial...
Lumsden JM, Stick JA, Caron JP, Nickels FA.Medical records of 51 horses with epiglottic entrapment were reviewed, and the outcome after surgical treatment was evaluated by use of results from a survey of owners and from race records. Horses with epiglottic entrapment and no additional problem (uncomplicated) of the nares, nasal passages, pharynx, or larynx (upper airway) that were treated by transoral axial division (group 1) or resection via laryngotomy (group 2), and horses with epiglottic entrapment complicated by an additional upper airway abnormality (group 3) were compared. The cost of treatment, duration of hospitalization, time...
Jacobs CC, Stefanovski D, Southwood LL.To determine whether perioperative variables can be used to differentiate a medical vs a surgical reason for postoperative reflux (POR) after small intestinal (SI) surgery in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses >1 year of age that recovered from SI surgery and had POR. Methods: Medical records of horses that underwent SI surgery and developed POR from 2009-2015 were reviewed. Surgical reasons for POR were defined as an anastomosis complication, mechanical obstruction, or nonviable intestine identified at repeat celiotomy/necropsy. A medical reason for POR was presumed wh...
Busschers E, Richardson DW.A 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was examined because of chronic right forelimb lameness. Results: On radiographs of the right front foot, the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint space was narrow, and osteophytes and periarticular bony proliferation indicative of severe osteoarthritis were seen. Arthrodesis of the right DIP joint was recommended to improve the horse's comfort on the limb. Results: The horse was anesthetized, and palmar and dorsal arthroscopic approaches were used to remove as much of the articular cartilage as was accessible. Holes were then drilled through the dorsal aspect ...
Jalim SL, McKinnon AO.To evaluate the surgical results and fertility of mares bred at various intervals relative to surgical management of urovagina. Methods: Sixty-one mares underwent surgery to correct vesicovaginal reflux. Surgery was performed at varying times relative to breeding and postoperative fertility was evaluated. Results: Five mares were lost to follow-up and a further four were electively not bred. Of the remaining 52 mares, seasonal pregnancy and live foaling rates were 67% (35/52) and 54% (26/48), respectively. When mares were bred in the same cycle as the surgery, the first cycle following surgery...
Beroza GA.In horses, ventral laryngotomies are typically allowed to heal by second intention. Partial closure of the laryngotomy incision, however, was associated wtih less exudate, less aftercare, shorter hospitalization, and better cosmetic results, compared with the traditional technique. The partial closure technique did not result in complications in the 3 horses in which it was attempted.
Doyle-Jones PS, Sullins KE, Saunders GK.To compare synovial regeneration in the equine carpus after mechanical or CO(2) laser synovectomy. Methods: Arthroscopic partial synovectomy was performed in the radiocarpal and intercarpal joints. Methods: Twelve horses, 3 to 6 years of age, were randomly divided into 3 groups. Methods: The antebrachiocarpal and intercarpal joints in each horse were randomly assigned a treatment such that each horse had one joint treated as a control (arthroscopic lavage), one in which a mechanical or CO(2) laser partial dorsal carpal synovectomy was performed, and one in which a combination of the mechanical...
Todhunter RJ, Parker JE.A recently castrated horse was examined because of preputial and ventral abdominal swelling, prolapse of the preputial fold, and serosanguinous fluid dripping from the external urethral orifice. After a poor response to initial medical management, a urethral laceration was found during exploratory surgery. Half of the ventral portion of the corpus cavernosum penis had been transected. Primary closure was followed by healing without complications.
Baccarin RY, Martins EA, Hagen SC, Silva LC.A controlled study was designed in order to evaluate the effects of medial patellar desmotomy (MPD), combined with exercise restriction, on clinically and radiographically normal femoropatellar joints, and to identify the patellar instability by radiographic examination. MPD was performed on the right hind limb and the horses were rested for 120 days. Both hind limbs were radiographed before surgery and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after MPD, obtaining lateromedial, flexed lateromedial, caudocranial and cranioproximal-craniodistal (skyline) views. The femorotibial and femoropatellar angles ...
Initial treatment of colic is aimed at maintaining hydration and acid-base balance, controlling pain and reestablishing peristalsis. A poor response to medical treatment in the first 12-18 hours suggests the need for laparotomy. Other indications for surgery include: rising pulse rate, exceeding 60/minute for several hours; congested mucosae; delayed capillary refill; silent abdomen; gastric reflux; distended or displaced loops of bowel on rectal examination; intractable pain; and adverse laboratory findings. Postoperative care should consist of hand-walking for 30 days, followed by confinemen...
Elghoul N, Jalal Y, Bouya A, Zine A, Jaafar A.Almost 2% of all emergency admissions involve an animal bite. While horses bite humans very rarely, their bites are mostly associated with fatalities. Herein, we report the case of a 23-year old bitten by a domestic horse causing a crush injury to his fourth finger with fracture dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The patient benefited upon arrival at the emergency department from copious irrigation with saline serum, tetanus toxoid, postexposure rabies vaccination, and prophylactic antibiotic therapy. In the operating room, surgical exploration found the ulnar digital pedicle s...
Arighi M, Ducharme NG, Horney FD, Livesey MA.Extensive resection (50-75%) of the large colon was performed in 12 horses. Indications for resection were: loss of viability due to large colon volvulus (seven), thromboembolic episode (three), impairment of flow of ingesta due to adhesions (one), or congenital abnormalities (one). The time required to correct the primary cause of abdominal pain and complete the resection ranged from 2.5 to 4.75 hours. Three horses had severe musculoskeletal problems postoperatively and were euthanized in the recovery stall. Four other horses were euthanized early in the postoperative period because of: furth...
Comino F, Röcken M, Gorvy D.To describe a 2-step surgical procedure combining standing laparoscopy with a conventional inguinal approach to treat deep intra-abdominal funiculitis (extended septic funiculitis) after castration. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Twelve client-owned horses. Methods: Medical records of horses treated for extended septic funiculitis with the 2-step surgical procedure were reviewed. Data collected included the initial castration technique, number of surgical interventions for septic funiculitis prior to presentation, clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical procedure, and short-term ...
Chase JP, Beard WL, Bertone AL, Goltz K.Peritonitis was induced in 12 horses by median celiotomy and 1 hour of small intestinal ischemia. Six horses had primary closure of the incision, whereas six horses had a plastic mesh sutured to the ventral abdominal wall leaving the abdomen open for ventral drainage. The mesh was removed after 5 days and the abdominal wall was closed by apposition of the linea alba and subcutaneous tissues and approximation ef the skin edges. Peritoneal fluid was collected and analyzed for nucleated cell count and total protein concentration on days 0 and 5. Serum biochemical profiles, serum electrolyte conce...
Andersen C, Tnibar A.Medial patellar ligament splitting (MPLS) has been shown to be a highly effective and minimally invasive treatment for upward fixation of the patella (UFP) in horses. However, long-term follow-up results of this procedure have not previously been reported. Objective: To evaluate the long-term resolution of UFP following MPLS and provide information on complications and recurrence. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Data were collected from horses that underwent MPLS between 1999 and 2013. All cases had a confirmed diagnosis of UFP that had not responded to conservative therapy. Data ...
Brünisholz HP, Schwarzwald CC, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Ringer SK.The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of pentastarch on colloid osmotic pressure (COP) and cardiopulmonary function during and up to 24 h after anaesthesia in horses. Twenty-five systemically healthy horses were anaesthetised using isoflurane-medetomidine balanced anaesthesia. Twelve were assigned to treatment with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) (H group) and 13 to no HES (NH group). In the H group, 6 mL/kg of pentastarch 10% HES (200/0.5) was infused over 1 h starting 30 min after induction of anaesthesia. Horses of the NH group received an equal amount of lactated Ringer's so...
Richardson DW, Nunamaker DM, Sigafoos RD.Arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint was attempted in 9 adult horses, using a new external skeletal fixation device and autogenous cancellous bone graft. Four horses had excellent results, 2 horses had fair results, arthrodesis failed in 2 horses, and 1 horse fractured the third metacarpal bone. The advantages of the technique included minimal surgical trauma to the area of injury, immediate rigid fixation of the metacarpophalangeal joint, and access for treatment of soft-tissue lesions at the site of injury. Although pin loosening and pin-track infection were complications when the de...
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...
Hackett MS, Hackett RP.Ten young horses with signs of simple partial obstruction of the small intestine were found upon surgical exploration of the abdomen to have chronic intussusception of the distal ileum into the cecum. Poor general physical condition, intermittent or continual abdominal pain of varying degree, depression, and poor appetite were consistent clinical findings. Rectal palpation in eight animals was suggestive of an incomplete or intermittent obstruction of the small intestine. Laboratory determinations were not helpful in making a diagnosis. Dilatation and hypertrophy of the distal jejunum and ileu...
Charnock LN, Boveland SD, Groover ES, Moore PA, McMullen RJ.Evaluate the effects of corneoconjunctival transposition (CCT), posterior lamellar keratoplasty (PLK) and modified deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) on streak retinoscopy in equine cadaver eyes. Methods: Intraocular pressure (IOP) was maintained at 25 ± 3 mmHg in 35 equine cadaver eyes. Streak retinoscopy was performed prior to (NO VISCO) and following (VISCO) intracameral injection of 1.0 ml of viscoelastic. Following optical coherence tomography (OCT), an axial CCT [n = 11] or PLK [n = 12], or peripheral DLEK [n = 12] was performed. Streak retinoscopy and OCT were r...
Baxter GM, Moore JN, Budsberg SC.An open radial fracture in an adult horse (450 kg) was repaired by internal fixation, using two 18-hole 4.5-mm broad dynamic compression plates and 5.5- and 4.5-mm bone screws. The fracture healed completely, but when evaluated 9 months after surgery, the horse was lame on the fractured limb at a trot. Local infiltration of anesthesia along the distal half of the bone plates greatly ameliorated the lameness, suggesting that the plates were irritating the soft tissues and extensor tendons along the cranial and lateral aspects of the antebrachium. Both bone plates were removed simultaneously wit...
Barrett EJ, Rodgerson DH.To describe an ultrasound assisted arthroscopic approach for removal of non-articular basilar sesamoid fragments in Thoroughbred yearlings. Methods: Thoroughbred yearlings (n = 7). Methods: Basilar sesamoid fragments identified during pre-sale radiographic examination were removed using a palmar/plantar arthroscopic approach to the fetlock joint and ultrasonographic guidance. Complete fragment removal was confirmed by ultrasonography and radiography. Results: Basilar sesamoid fracture fragments were localized and removed successfully using rongeurs and a radiofrequency probe for soft tissu...
Frei S, Fürst AE, Sacks M, Bischofberger AS.Three horses that were presented with supraglenoid tubercle fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using distal femoral locking plates (DFLP). Placing the DFLP caudal to the scapular spine in order to preserve the suprascapular nerve led to a stable fixation, however, it resulted in infraspinatus muscle atrophy and mild scapulohumeral joint instability (case 1). Placing the DFLP cranial to the scapular spine and under the suprascapular nerve resulted in a stable fixation, however, it resulted in severe atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and scapulo...
Murphy DJ, Nixon AJ.A new surgical technique for treatment of chronic metacarpophalangeal synovial pad proliferation in the horse and the findings and long-term follow-up from 11 clinical cases are described. The medical records of all equine lameness cases attributed to metacarpophalangeal synovial pad proliferation admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University (1991-1996) were reviewed and all those treated surgically by laser extirpation were included in this study. Retrieved data included subject details, preoperative lameness, ultrasonography, radiography and synovial fluid evaluations...
McCormick JD, Watkins J.To report plate fixation for management of traumatic injuries resulting in plantar instability of the proximal intertarsal (PIT) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints. Methods: Case series. Methods: Medical records (October 1988 to August 2007) of horses that had internal fixation of the distal aspect of the tarsus were reviewed. Horses that had a broad dynamic compression plate (DCP) or broad locking compression plate (LCP) applied on the plantar-lateral aspect of the tarsus extending from the proximal calcaneus to the proximal one third of the metatarsus were included. Signalment, clinical signs,...
Sivula NJ, Trent AM, Kobluk CN.Nonsurgical correction of a renosplenic entrapment of the large colon was attempted in a mare, using a rolling technique. After correction, the mare had initial improvement in clinical signs, but later developed signs of abdominal discomfort. A ventral midline celiotomy was performed, and a pelvic flexure impaction and large intestinal volvulus were found and corrected.
