Surgery for horses encompasses a range of procedures performed to diagnose, treat, or manage various medical conditions. These procedures may involve soft tissue or orthopedic interventions and require specialized techniques to accommodate the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of equines. Common surgical procedures in horses include colic surgery, fracture repair, and arthroscopy. The success of equine surgery depends on numerous factors, including the type of procedure, the horse's overall health, and post-operative care. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore surgical techniques, outcomes, and advancements in equine surgical practices.
Adair HS, Duncan RB, Toal RL.A 3-year-old Appaloosa stallion with a 4 cm x 4 cm x 2.5 cm mass protruding from his nasal bone was evaluated. Radiographs revealed an osseous mass, with a radiopaque outer margin and several radiolucent areas within the body of the mass. The mass was surgically removed and evaluated histopathologically. The histopathological diagnosis was osteochondroma. This case represent the first reported occurrence of an osteochondroma arising from intramembraneous bone in the horse.
Jones DL.Medical records were reviewed for 11 horses with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and/or pharynx. The average age at presentation was 15.3 years. No breed or sex predilection was present. At presentation, 6 of 11 horses were dyspneic and 4 horses had inspiratory stridor. Endoscopy was performed in all cases and was more useful in demonstrating a mass in the laryngopharyngeal region than laryngeal or guttural pouch radiography. Surgical excision was attempted in 3 horses and in 1 horse alleviated clinical signs for 4 months. Ten horses were euthanatized and 1 horse died. Results of this st...
Murray RC, Gaughan EM, Debowes RM, Huston LC, Cooper VL, Welsh T.A 4-month Arabian filly presented for abdominal pain of 30 hours duration was found to have tachycardia, tachypnea, congested mucous membranes and gross abdominal distension. Further examination disclosed gastric reflux and small intestinal distension. Dehydration, prerenal azotemia, electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic alkalemia were observed. There was a progressive nonresponse to analgesic medication and deterioration in the foal's physiologic condition consistent with a small intestinal strangulating obstruction. Surgical exploration was declined. Necropsy examination revealed incarcera...
Ogawa Y, Kanno M, Shimizu Y, Suzuki M, Yoshimoto T.A 56-year-old man presented with an unusual cranial penetration injury due to a horse's hoof. The CT number of the hoof was 269, and thus clearly not that of a wooden fragment or bone. An emergency operation was performed to remove the foreign body. The operation went well, and no infection developed. Eight months later he could walk unaided and had only mild disorientation.
Maier FP, Wintzer HJ.In this paper the measurement technique pulse oximetry is examined in 25 halothane-anaesthetized horses. Furthermore measures are presented which lead to a successful sensor placement at the tongue of the horse. The hemoglobin saturation determined by the pulse oximeter (SaO2) correlated very well with the hemoglobin saturation calculated by blood gas analysis (sO2). Nevertheless in the range of low saturation the pulse oximeter increasingly overestimates sO2. Pulse oximetry is an important progress in equine patient monitoring. A decline of oxygen saturation in the blood is detected immediate...
van Nieuwstadt RA, Kalsbeek HC.In a horse with chronic unilateral nasal discharge guttural pouch mycosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus was diagnosed. A percutaneous indwelling catheter was surgically installed in the left guttural pouch. Initial treatment with a povidone iodine solution proved to be unsatisfactory. Treatment was continued by administering enilconazole by ways of an indwelling through-the-nose-catheter. The latter treatment resulted in complete recovery.
Lin HC, Wallace SS, Robbins RL, Harrison IW, Thurmon JC.In 4 mares suffering from dystocia, general anesthesia was induced with xylazine (1.1 mg/kg, IV) and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg, IV) and maintained with continuous intravenous infusion of ketamine (2 mg/ml), xylazine (0.5 mg/ml) and guaifenesin (50 mg/ml) in 1 L of 5% dextrose. The duration of the procedure of these mares were 40, 45, 180, and 35 minutes, respectively. For procedures required more than 1 hour (Mare 3), the dose of ketamine and xylazine in the mixture was reduced to 1 mg/ml and 0.25 mg/ml, respectively. Average infusion rate of the mixture used to maintain anesthesia for each mare was...
Vatistas NJ, Snyder JR, Hildebrand SV, Harmon FA, Woliner MJ, Henry P, Enos LR, Magliano D, Brown SA, Drake C.Sixteen horses were allotted at random to 3 groups: vehicle only; low dosage (vehicle and 3 mg of U-74389G/kg of body weight); high dosage (vehicle and 10 mg of U-74389G/kg). These solutions were given prior to reperfusion. The ascending colon was subjected to 2 hours of ischemia followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Before, during, and after ischemia, full-thickness colonic tissue biopsy specimens were obtained for measurement of malondealdehyde (MDA) concentration and myeloperoxidase activity and for morphologic evaluation. Although increases were not significant, MDA concentration and myelope...
Howard RD, Stashak TS, Baxter GM.Two 2.5-cm2 full-thickness skin wounds were created surgically over the lateral aspect of the cannon bone of each limb of 6 horses (n = 48 wounds). Dressings evaluated were a nonadherent gauze pad (group 1); a synthetic semiocclusive dressing, (group 2); equine amnion (group 3); and a synthetic fully occlusive dressing (group 4). Wounds were assessed subjectively at each dressing change, and total wound area, area of granulation tissue, and area of epithelium in each wound were determined by computerized digital analysis of photographs of the wounds. Complete healing time (wound covered by epi...
Ruggles AJ, Ross MW, Freeman DE.Sixteen horses with suspected paranasal sinus disease had endoscopic examination of the paranasal sinuses with a 4.0 mm arthroscope either while standing and sedated (14 horses) or under general anesthesia (two horses). Endoscopic diagnosis included sinusitis (four horses), sinus cyst (three horses), hemorrhage (three horses), neoplasia (three horses), and tooth root abnormalities (two horses). No abnormalities were detected in one horse. Endoscopic findings concurred with the radiographic findings in 13 horses (81%). Samples of sinus contents for bacteriologic (eight horses) and histologic ex...
Baxter GM, Jackman BR, Eades SC, Tyler DE.Intra-abdominal adhesions were created by localized serosal trauma in 11 adult ponies at three locations on the small intestine. Six ponies received verapamil hydrochloride (0.2 mg/kg) subcutaneously every eight hours for three days, and five ponies received an equal volume of saline solution at the same intervals. The investigators were not informed which treatments the ponies received. Systolic, diastolic, and mean carotid arterial pressures and heart rates were measured six hours before surgery, and then 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 8 hours after the first treatment on each day for three days. One pony...
Golenz MR, Carlson GP, Madigan JE, Craychee T.Six normal foals between the ages of 2 and 7 days were used in this study to develop a technique for intraosseous infusion in equine neonates. A 14-gauge 1/2-inch needle was placed intraosseously in the right proximal medial one-third aspect of the radius and tibia of each foal. A maximum of 1 L of isotonic fluids was administered intraosseously at these sites. Radiographs were taken at the time of intraosseous needle placement, and at days 10, 30, and 60 following the procedure. The mean time for needle placement was 33 seconds for the tibia and 63 seconds for the radius. The mean fluid flow ...
Regodon S, Franco A, Lignereux Y, Redondo E.A technique is described for catheterisation of the ventricular recess within the olfactory bulb of the horse. Twelve adult horses were used. The olfactory recess is in the frontal region, 42 +/- 3 mm below the skin, on the line joining the supraorbital foramina, and approximately 18 +/- 2 mm from the midline. The approach is relatively easy under normal experimental conditions.
Foerner JJ, Ringle MJ, Junkins DS, Fischer AT, MacHarg MA, Phillips TN.A 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare underwent exploratory celiotomy for diagnosis and treatment of colic. An irreducible herniation of the large colon through the epiploic foramen was found. To reduce the hernia, the pelvic flexure was transected and the ends of the large colon were closed. The intercolonic mesentery was divided, and unaffected left ventral colon was moved into the epiploic foramen, providing sufficient space so that affected left dorsal colon could be reduced. The affected left ventral colon was then reduced and the diseased portion of both colons was resected. The colons were res...
Freeman DE, Staller GS, Maxson AD, Sweeney CR.A mare with hemorrhage caused by guttural pouch mycosis was treated by insertion of a balloon-tipped catheter into the left internal carotid artery. During recovery from general anesthesia, the mare had profuse epistaxis, and was anesthetized again to determine the site of hemorrhage. The affected guttural pouch was opened to confirm that hemorrhage was from the left internal carotid artery. The mare was euthanatized, and, at necropsy, the balloon catheter was found in an aberrant branch that arose from the internal carotid artery and joined the basilar artery. The mycotic plaque was on the le...
Todhunter RJ, Minor RR, Wootton JA, Krook L, Burton-Wurster N, Lust G.Our aim was to determine if mild to moderate postoperative exercise and intra-articular polysulfated glycosaminoglycan result in improved repair of large, experimentally induced osteochondral defects in a weight-bearing surface of equine joints. Arthroscopic debridement was used to produce full-thickness defects in a weight-bearing area of the radial carpal bones in 18 ponies. The ponies were randomly assigned to two groups balanced for age: nine animals in the exercise and nine in the no exercise group. Six ponies in each group were medicated weekly for 5 weeks with an intra-articular injecti...
Dabareiner RM, Sullins KE, White NA.The clinical and radiographic progression, and arthroscopic findings for nine young horses (< 1 year of age) with femoropatellar osteochondrosis (OCD) are presented. Horses had a 2 to 12 week history of bilateral (8 horses) or unilateral (1 horse) hindlimb lameness. The most consistent clinical signs included femoropatellar joint distention and bilateral hindlimb lameness. At the onset of clinical signs, radiographic lesions were not present (4 horses) or subtle (5 horses), but were easily identified on radiographs taken 4 to 24 weeks later. Arthroscopic surgery was delayed until radiograph...
Maxson AD, Giger U, Sweeney CR, Tomasic M, Saik JE, Donawick WJ, Cothran EG.Anemia that was secondary to ovarian hemorrhage in a 4-year-old miniature horse mare was treated prior to laparotomy with polymerized ultrapurified bovine hemoglobin (PUBH). Two previous whole-blood transfusions had resulted in acute transfusion reaction, and a suitable blood donor could not be found among 9 horses, necessitating use of the blood substitute. Subsequent blood typing revealed the mare to be Aa-negative, with allo-antibodies against Aa in serum. Serious adverse reactions were not observed after infusion of PUBH, and the mare recovered. Although the safety and efficacy of using PU...
Wright IM.The 118 horses diagnosed as suffering from navicular disease by prospective criteria were treated by desmotomy of the ligamenta sesamoidea collateralia (navicular suspensory desmotomy). Three techniques were used and a standard post-operative programme was followed with clinical and radiological evaluations at 6-monthly intervals for periods of 6-36 months after surgery. At 6 and 36 months after treatment, 76% and 42.9% of horses were sound respectively. The clinical features of age, period of lameness, severity of lameness and angular limb deformities adversely affected response to surgery. T...
Jones DL, Barber SM, Doige CE.Changes in synovial fluid and clinical variables after arthroscopic partial synovectomy of the middle carpal joint were studied in 12 normal horses. A 7 mm motorized synovial resector was inserted into each middle carpal joint; one middle carpal joint of each horse was randomly selected to have arthroscopic synovectomy (treated) and the opposite joint was lavaged (control). Lameness examinations and synovial fluid analyses were performed before operation and at 8, 14, 21, and 28 days after operation. Lameness variables did not differ between treated and control legs. Middle carpal and carpomet...
Nixon AJ, Sams AE, Ducharme NG.An endoscopically assisted technique for internally dividing the palmar or plantar annular ligament was developed in six cadaver limb specimens and two anesthetized horses. Under arthroscopic view, a slotted cannula was inserted into the digital sheath through a stab wound proximal to the annular ligament and advanced through the fetlock canal superficial to the flexor tendons with the slot oriented toward the fibers of the annular ligament. Division of the annular ligament by 90-degree tipped open and guarded blades was observed and verified by direct arthroscopic view. At necropsy, complete ...
Greet TR, Bathe AP.This paper describes the use of a linear stapling device as an aid to unilateral ovariectomy in nine mares with granulosa thecal cell tumours. The intraoperative and postoperative complications are described and follow up details on each case are presented.
Johnson CB, Taylor PM, Young SS, Brearley JC.Horses undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups to receive phenylbutazone at 4 mg/kg (n = 72), flunixin at 1 mg/kg (n = 68) or carprofen at 0.7 mg/kg (n = 63) by slow intravenous injection at the end of surgery, just before they were disconnected from halothane. Pain was assessed by either of two resident surgical clinicians (who did not know which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug had been given) when the horses first stood up, two and four hours later and the next morning. If repeated doses of analgesic drugs were given the time was recorded and taken as an end poi...
Zaruby JF, Livesey MA, Percy DH.This clinical report describes an 8-year-old Thoroughbred mare that was presented for evaluation of a chronic, unilateral nasal discharge. Findings on physical examination, radiology, and video-endoscopy supported a clinical diagnosis of ethmoidal hematoma. After surgical ablation of the mass a defect was detected in the cribriform plate. At necropsy a 1.5 cm aperture was identified in the left cribriform plate allowing direct communication between the fundus of the nasal cavity and the cranium. Histology of the mass identified tissue consistent with an adenocarcinoma. History of profuse epist...
Hooper RN, Taylor TS, Varner DD, Blanchard TL.Postoperative performance and behavioral patterns were investigated retrospectively in 23 client-owned mares after bilateral ovariectomy via colpotomy. The interval from surgery to postoperative inquiries ranged from 9 to 67 months. Information obtained from review of the medical record and client interviews included the reason for ovariectomy, postoperative complications, problems identified by owners after discharge of the mare from the hospital, postoperative level of athletic performance, postoperative signs of estrus, and overall owner satisfaction. Reasons given by owners for having mare...
Dabareiner RM, Sullins KE, Snyder JR, White NA, Gardner IA.Effects of intraluminal distention (25 cm of H2O, 120 minutes) and subsequent decompression (60 minutes) on intramural vascular patterns of the small intestine was evaluated in 7 anesthetized horses. Intraluminal distention (25 cm of H2O, 120 minutes) was created in 2 jejunal segments in each horse. Experimental and control segments were removed either immediately after the experimental period or after 60 minutes of decompression. The vascular system of experimental and control jejunal segments was lavaged with NaCl, then was injected with a blue-colored radiopaque medium for microangiography ...
Dabareiner RM, Snyder JR, Sullins KE, White NA, Gardner IA.Intramural vascular patterns of the jejunum and colon were evaluated during ischemic strangulation obstruction (ISO, 70 minutes) and subsequent reperfusion (60 minutes) in 7 adult anesthetized horses. Microvasculature of experimental and control segments was described by comparison of results from microangiography, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy of vascular replicas. Experimental and control segments with isolated vascular arcades were removed either immediately after the experimental period or after 60 minutes of reperfusion. Blood was flushed from the vascular system by u...
Glass K, Watts AE.Many long bone fractures that are not considered repairable in the adult horse are repairable in the foal. This is largely because of reduced patient size and more rapid healing in the foal. When there is no articular communication, the long-term prognosis for athletic function can be very good. Emergency care and transport of the foal with a long bone fracture is different than the adult.
Tate LP, Evans LH.Cryoneurectomy was performed experimentally on 10 digital plantar nerves of normal horses. All nerves were frozen to -30 C, using a double freeze-thaw cycle. Nerves were harvested at 10 days and at 4, 12, 16, and 24 weeks and were examined histologically for evidence of regeneration. The terminal portion of the transected nerves treated with cryosurgery did not have any signs of regeneration or neuroma formation at these periods. Cryoneurectomy was performed on 101 nerves of 32 horses with diseases requiring neurectomy. Twenty-seven of these nerves had been subjected to previous neurectomy, an...
Hodson N, Hunt J, Causon RC.The research article discusses an investigation into how exploratory diagnostic laparotomy affects the circulating histamine levels in acute, subacute, and chronic suspected equine grass sickness cases. The study utilized a […]
Hornof WJ, Koblik PD, O'Brien TR.A 2-month-old thoroughbred colt with noisy and difficult respiration was diagnosed as having an intrathoracic mass, using conventional radiographic techniques. Nuclear scintigraphy was then used to characterize the mass, leading to successful surgical removal.
Welland LM.A 6-year-old, primiparous standardbred mare was presented with a history of intestinal protrusion from the rectum shortly after parturition. A subacute grade IV rectal tear was diagnosed. The unusual nature of the tear led to speculation of a possible owner palpation accident. A grave prognosis was given and the mare was euthanized.
Caron JP, Barber SM, Doige CE, Pharr JW.This study documented the normal histologic features of the equine metacarpal and metatarsal periosteum and characterized its osteogenic response to surgical manipulation. Two periosteal flaps were elevated from the dorsomedial matacarpal and metatarsal diaphysis in each of three limbs of four yearling and four adult lightbreed horses. The superficial metacarpal cortex under the flap was resected with a bone chisel in one-half of the horses and was undisturbed in the remainder. One periosteal flap in each limb was excised and the other flap was replaced and secured by sutures. All limbs in the...
Poore LA, Duncan N, Williams J.A non-ossified unilateral subcutaneous fibroma was diagnosed in the distal femoral region of a 5-year-old Nooitgedacht mare. Histopathological examination of the excised mass revealed long interweaving bundles of semi-mature monotonous collagenous connective tissue with fusiform nuclei without mitotic figures. The mare made an uneventful recovery following surgical removal of the neoplasm. Subcutaneous fibromas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of skin swellings associated with the limbs of horses.
Johnston GM.This research is about a study conducted to understand the causes and frequency of unexpected fatalities due to surgery or anesthesia within a week of surgery in horses, ponies, and […]
Slovis N, Irvin L.Colic is a common presenting complaint in foals. Unfortunately, evaluation of foals with colic can be difficult due to the common clinical presentation of acute abdominal pain attributable to a wide variety of disorders and a broad range of etiologies. Similar to foals, colic is one of the most common diseases of pregnant and periparturient mares. Several conditions are unique or occur more commonly in broodmares. This article reviews the most commonly encountered types of colic events in neonatal foals and periparturient mares, how to correctly diagnose these conditions, as well as details co...
Noll CV, Kilcoyne I, Vaughan B, Galuppo LD.To report the clinical and diagnostic findings associated with fibrotic myopathy, describe the surgical procedure for standing fibrotic myotomy and report postoperative outcomes. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Twenty-two horses. Methods: Records were included if a clinical diagnosis of fibrotic myopathy was based on clinical and/or ultrasonographic examination and the horse was treated with myotomy of the affected muscle. Records were reviewed for signalment, preoperative findings, perioperative complications, and outcomes. Follow-up also included a phone survey of owners. Results: Qua...