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Topic:Surgery
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.
Cosmetic repair of a facial deformity by use of a silicone implant in a horse. A heat-vulcanized silicone implant was used for cosmetic repair of a facial deformity in a horse. The deformity had resulted from fracture of the frontal bone into the frontal sinus 6 months earlier. Normal facial contour was restored by suturing the sculpted implant to the periosteum over the defect. Results 1 year after surgery were excellent.
Use of transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser to drain dorsal epiglottic abscesses in two horses. A submucosal abscess, located on the dorsal surface of the epiglottis, was diagnosed in 2 Thoroughbred racehorses by use of endoscopy. Both horses had exercise intolerance. One horse had intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate, coughed while eating and galloping, and made an abnormal respiratory noise. Both abscesses were drained transendoscopically by use of a contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. Eleven days after surgery, the surgical sites appeared to have healed. Clinical signs resolved permanently, and both horses returned to successful racing careers.
Use of phacofragmentation for cataract removal in horses: 12 cases (1985-1989). The medical records of 12 horses that had cataracts removed by use of phacofragmentation were reviewed. Cataracts were removed from 16 eyes in horses ranging in age from 2 months to 15 years. Complications after surgery included corneal ulcers in 13 eyes, diffuse corneal edema in 5 eyes, and uncontrollable uveitis in 3 eyes. Follow-up information was obtained in all horses from 1 month to 3.5 years after surgery. Visual results were judged good by owners or veterinarians in 10 of the horses.
Arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments of the palmar/plantar aspect of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints. This paper presents the results of arthroscopic surgery in 42 Standardbred trotters and three Finnish horses. Forty-five horses were operated on. The age range was one to seven years; 73 per cent of the horses were three years old or younger. Horses showed a variety of clinical signs ranging from moderate to severe lameness at slow speeds, to obscure lameness manifesting only at high speeds. Synovial effusion of the fetlock joint was rare. In this series, 44 horses that had Type I fragments and one horse that had Type III fragments were operated on. Of the 45 horses operated on, 23 (51 per cen...
A comparison of three techniques for closure of pelvic flexure enterotomies in normal equine colon. Six enterotomies 3 cm long, spaced at 3 cm intervals, were made in the antimesenteric border of the pelvic flexure of the ascending colon in five adult horses. Ten incisions each were sutured with a Utrecht pattern (single layer), a full-thickness simple continuous oversewn with a Cushing pattern (two layer), and a mucosal simple continuous with a seromuscular simple continuous oversewn with a Cushing pattern (three layer). In all horses, chromic gut and polyglactin 910 were each used once for each pattern. On day 6, the pelvic flexure was excised and the colonic vessels were injected with a r...
Evaluation of peroral transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser and snare excision of subepiglottic cysts in horses. Three basic techniques (and one modified technique) were developed, allowing successful excision of subepiglottic cysts in 10 horses (5 Standardbreds, 4 Thoroughbreds, and 1 Quarter Horse; mean age, 3.5 years) via peroral approach. This approach eliminated the need for laryngotomy or pharyngotomy and reduced postoperative care. None of the cysts redeveloped. Clinical signs of disease before surgery included respiratory noise, exercise intolerance, coughing, and dysphagia and were eliminated in all horses except one that raced successfully, but in which some respiratory noise was detected. Pero...
Pulsed carbon dioxide laser for cartilage vaporization and subchondral bone perforation in horses. Part II: Morphologic and histochemical reactions. A pulsed carbon dioxide laser was used to vaporize articular cartilage in four horses, and perforate the cartilage and subchondral bone in four horses. Both intercarpal joints were examined arthroscopically and either a 1 cm cartilage crater or a series of holes was created in the third carpal bone of one joint. The contralateral carpus served as a control. After euthanasia at week 8, the treated and control joints were examined for gross changes, and samples of cartilage and subchondral bone, synovial membrane, and peripheral lymph nodes were examined histologically. Depletion of cartilage ma...
Osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint: results of treatment with arthroscopic surgery. The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans in 318 tarsocrural joints in 225 horses are reported. Of the 225 horses, 154 were racehorses or intended for racing. Arthroscopic surgery was an effective technique for treating osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint. The overall functional ability and cosmetic appearance of the limbs were excellent. Post surgical follow-up information was obtained for 183 horses, of which 140 (76.5 per cent) raced successfully or performed their intended use following surgery. Of the remaining 43, 11 w...
Effects of sodium hyaluronate on tendon healing and adhesion formation in horses. Sodium hyaluronate reduces adhesions after tendon repair in rodents and dogs, and has been used in limited clinical trials in people. To evaluate its effect on tendon healing and adhesion formation in horses and to compare these effects with those of a compound of similar visco-elastic properties, a study was performed in horses, using a model of collagenase injection in the flexor tendons within the digital sheath. Eight clinically normal horses were randomly allotted to 2 groups. Adhesion formation between the deep digital flexor tendon and the tendon sheath at the pastern region was induced...
Antithrombin III activity in horses with colic: an analysis of 46 cases. Antithrombin-III (AT-III) activity was measured at the time of admission in 46 horses referred with colic. Differences in AT-III activities between animals treated medically or surgically and survivors or non-survivors were compared. The mean AT-III values for the horses treated medically (76.2 per cent), surgical survivors (69.5 per cent) and surgical non-survivors (55.9 per cent) were significantly different from the reference value for healthy adults (92 to 108 per cent). The mean AT-III activity of the survivors was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that of the nonsurvivors. Th...
Pulsed carbon dioxide laser for cartilage vaporization and subchondral bone perforation in horses. Part I: Technique and clinical results. A carbon dioxide laser, used in a rapidly pulsed mode, was evaluated for intra-articular use in horses. Under arthroscopic guidance, a lensed 5 mm laser probe attached directly to a hand-held carbon dioxide laser was inserted into one intercarpal joint of eight horses. In four horses, a cartilage crater 1 cm in diameter was created to the level of the subchondral bone of the articular surface of the third carpal bone. In four horses, the laser was directed perpendicular to the articular surface of the third carpal bone and activated to penetrate the cartilage and subchondral bone. The intercar...
Idiopathic cecal rupture in foals after anesthesia for gastric endoscopy. Cecal rupture has been reported as a complication of tape-worm infestation or parturition in horses. Often it occurs with no apparent predisposing factors. Spontaneous rupture on the medial surface of the cecum occurred in 2 of 19 foals, 12 to 24 hours after gastric endoscopy. The sites of rupture were identical in both foals. Rupture occurred despite prior deworming, withholding of food and water before anesthesia, and care in induction of anesthesia and recovery. Surgeons should be aware of the potential of cecal rupture in horses anesthetized for elective surgery.
Small-intestinal volvulus as a complication of acquired inguinal hernia in two horses. Volvulus of the small intestine was diagnosed as a complication of acquired inguinal herniation in 2 horses. One of the horses continued to have signs of pain after reduction of the hernia. The volvulus was diagnosed at a second surgery, but the intestine was devitalized, and the horse was euthanatized. Ventral midline exploratory surgery was performed on the second horse, in conjunction with an inguinal approach. The small-intestinal volvulus was diagnosed and corrected at this time. It is suggested that ventral midline abdominal exploration be performed when acquired inguinal herniation caus...
Renosplenic entrapment of the large colon in horses: 57 cases (1983-1988). During a 5-year period, renosplenic entrapment of the large colon was diagnosed in 57 horses referred to the Texas Veterinary Medical Center. The signalment of and clinical signs of disease in these horses were compared with such variables in 200 horses referred for other types of colic. Findings did not support a male gender predilection for this disease, as was previously reported. The case survival rate was 93% for this group of horses. Fourteen of the horses were treated nonsurgically by rolling them clockwise while they were under general anesthesia. Data supported the safety and efficacy...
[The treatment of insertion desmopathy in the metatarsus of horses]. Metacarpal or metatarsal exostoses were diagnosed in 112 horses used for sport purposes between January 1976 to December 1987. Fourteen of these patients were treated surgically by subperiosteal removal of the exostosis. All animals which could be followed up had returned to their original use. The average time of use after discharge from the clinic was 38.4 months. Surgery was successful in completely removing the exostoses in 58.3% of these horses. The indications for anaesthesia and resection of the ulnar nerve are discussed.
Upper airway obstruction in performance horses. Differential diagnoses and treatment. Abnormalities of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, and trachea result in respiratory noise and exercise intolerance. Clinical features of common upper respiratory conditions of performance horses are reviewed with emphasis on diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors that affect the outcome of surgical treatment.
Steady-state response characteristics of a pulse oximeter on equine intestine. The steady-state response characteristics of a pulse oximeter were evaluated on intestinal segments of seven clinically normal halothane-anesthetized horses. Arterial oxygen tension greater than 200 mm of Hg, end tidal carbon dioxide from 30 to 35 mm of Hg, and systemic mean arterial pressure greater than 70 mm of Hg were maintained throughout the recording periods. Values for percentage of pulse oximeter oxygen saturation, pulsatile blood flow, and percentage of signal strength were recorded from jejunum, ileum, cecum, left ventral colon, left dorsal colon, and descending colon. Probe placeme...
Palliative repair of aortic atresia associated with tricuspid atresia and transposition of the great arteries. Successful palliative repair of aortic atresia and hypoplastic aortic arch associated with tricuspid atresia in a neonate is described. The repair consisted of reconstruction of the hypoplastic aortic arch with an equine pericardial patch, division of the patient ductus arteriosus, connection of the pulmonary artery to the aorta, implantation of the proximal part of the ascending aorta into the main pulmonary artery, and anastomosis of a polytetrafluoroethylene graft 5 mm in diameter between the right ventricular outflow tract and the central pulmonary artery, which was transferred anteriorly ...
Application of lasers in equine upper respiratory surgery. The advantages and disadvantages of various surgical lasers are discussed. Included are aspects of laser safety, anesthesia and analgesia considerations for laser surgery, and diagnostic considerations. Horses with lesions such as ethmoid hematomas, nasal polyps, and lymphoid masses are ideal candidates for laser treatment. Other conditions that are suitably treated with lasers, such as dorsal displacement of the soft palate and entrapment of the epiglottis, are described.
Intracranial trauma associated with extraction of a temporal ear tooth (dentigerous cyst) in a horse. Heterotopic polyodontia is typically associated with a sinus and a fistulous tract with a secreting membrane which extends to an ectopic tooth attached to the temporal bone. Recommendations for treatment include complete excision of the tract, the dental component, and the lining of the alveolar socket. Iatrogenic cerebral trauma was encountered during surgical extraction of an ectopic tooth. At post-mortem examination a second ectopic tooth was found compressing the right side of the cerebellum.
Chemical involution of the equine parotid salivary gland. The efficacy of eliminating parotid salivary secretions by retrograde infusion of 10% formalin, 2% chlorhexidine, or 2% or 3% silver nitrate solutions was evaluated in 10 horses. Solutions were kept within the parotid salivary gland for 90 seconds after infusion through parotid duct cannulae and then allowed to drain freely. Severed parotid ducts and surgical incisions were left to heal by second intention. All agents eliminated glandular secretions. There was less necrosis and suppurative inflammation after formalin infusion than after chlorhexidine and silver nitrate. Silver nitrate (2% and ...
Surgical treatment of sacral fracture in a horse. An 8-year-old Arabian stallion had signs of severe tailhead pruritus and slowly progressive loss of tail tone for 3 months. Palpation per rectum and radiography of the sacrocaudal region revealed a transverse, ventrally displaced fracture of the caudal portion of the sacrum. Surgical decompression and tail amputation resulted in complete recovery of athletic and reproductive function. Evidence of cauda equina neuritis was not seen on histologic examination of nerve roots obtained at surgery.
Modification of the cutting thread technique for intestinal anastomoses using diathermy. The author has modified a surgical technique, which was originally developed at the turn of the century, for the aseptic establishment of an intestinal anastomosis. The principle of this technique, known as the "cutting thread" principle, was that a loop of thread was introduced into the lumen of each of two approximated loops of intestine. After suturing the two loops of intestine together around the intraluminal parts of the thread, the latter was used as a "wire-saw" to create a stoma between the two intestinal loops. The author modified the method in such a way that the cutting could be pe...
[Rupture of the bladder and of the urachus in foals. A literature review]. It is well documented that the incidence of rupture of the urinary bladder or urachus is highest in newborn male foals and occurs during the (usually uncomplicated) parturition. Important clinical symptoms include frequent passing of small quantities of urine, abdominal distention and positive abdominal undulation. Hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia and an elevated serum creatinine level are often present. The serum blood urea nitrogen concentration may be normal or only slightly elevated. The creatinine concentration in the peritoneal fluid is invariably higher than that in serum, a...
