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.
Silver IA, Brown PN, Goodship AE, Lanyon LE, McCullagh KG, Perry GC, Williams IF.This project was carried out over a five year period (1977 to 1981 inclusive) at the University of Bristol following discussion between the British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons about the efficacy of, and ethical justification for, the practice of 'firing' (cautery). These discussions had been promoted by parliamentary questions but led to no firm conclusions because previously reported clinical investigations on specific treatments lacked adequate comparisons and controls and thus did not provide scientifically acceptable, statistically valid data. The pr...
Parry BW, Gay CC, Anderson GA.The present study retrospectively examined clinical and clinicopathological findings in horses with colic to determine which variables distinguished between medically treatable cases and cases which required surgical intervention. Heart rate, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, blood erythrocyte count, frequency of borborygmi and degree of mental depression showed the greatest differences (P less than 0.001) between medical and surgical groups. However, some variables which primarily evaluated cardiovascular function, ie, blood pressure, oral mucosal capillary refill time and blood lactate...
Tulleners EP, Donawick WJ.Infected abdominal incisions in 7 cattle and 3 horses were resutured with monofilamentous stainless steel retention sutures. After debridement of devitalized and infected tissue, wound edges were apposed with simple interrupted vertical (5 cattle, 3 horses) or horizontal (2 cattle) mattress sutures, placed through all layers of the body wall. Sutures were placed 2 to 3 cm apart over rubber tubing, 3 to 5 cm from wound edges. In 5 of the 10 operations, skin and subcutaneous tissue were left unsutured. The repaired wounds were supported with an encircling elastic roll bandage and sterile compres...
Tulamo RM, Bramlage LR, Gabel AA.The case histories and follow-up data for 11 horses with slab fractures of the central or 3rd tarsal bones were examined for information pertaining to the diagnosis, which was difficult to identify, treatment, which was proven ineffective, and the prognosis, which was shown to be poor for return to racing. The purpose of the study was to define the results that could be obtained by nonoperative methods, in an attempt to determine whether surgical treatment was advisable. Nine of the horses were Standardbreds and 2 were Thoroughbreds; all horses were 2 to 4 years old and were being exercised at...
Miller RI, Wold D, Lindsay WA, Beadle RE, McClure JJ, McClure JR, McCoy DJ.Five horses with pythiosis of the limbs were treated unsuccessfully by surgery or topical application of amphotericin B, or both. Follow-up immunotherapy resulted in 1 horse responding favorably. Three horses were cured of the fungal infection but developed osteitis or deep-seated laminitis, which necessitated their destruction. The remaining horse, which had severe anemia, died before the course of vaccination was completed.
Brown MP, Pool RR.Braided carbon fiber sutures were used to repair surgically transected or lacerated digital flexor tendons of 20 mature horses (10 experimental and 10 clinical cases). In addition, 4 experimental horses had tenectomies that were not surgically repaired; these served as controls for the horses with carbon-implanted tendons. Six of the 10 clinically affected horses were returned to their intended use; 2 were euthanatized because of complications and 2 were still recuperating. The experimental horses were euthanatized at 12 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 months. Tendon scars were structurally and fu...
Baker JR, Wyn-Jones G, Eley JL.A brief review of the literature on equine goitre is presented, together with a case of congenital goitre in a foal. This animal showed localised swelling of the neck, hyperextension of the lower limbs and initial difficulty in sucking. The goitre was removed surgically and the hyperextension successfully treated with surgical shoes and bandaging. The cause was probably iodine deficiency coupled with a goitrogen in the diet.
Barber SM, Clark EG, Fretz PB.In 2 horses with rapidly growing, locally destructive tumors of the premaxilla, there was major disruption and displacement of some incisor teeth, with radiographic evidence of disruption of the premaxilla at the base of the tumors. In horse 1, most of the tumor was removed by incising it at its base, and the tumor bed was treated cryosurgically with 3 freeze-thaw cycles, using liquid nitrogen. The area healed by 2nd intention. The tumor was found to be a benign fibroblastic tumor, possibly a fibroma. After 4 years, there has been no recurrence. Horse 2 was euthanatized on the basis of a tenta...
Pascoe PJ, McDonell WN, Trim CM, Van Gorder J.A retrospective survey of 300 surgical treatments for colic involving 341 interventions was carried out to determine mortality rates and associated factors. These horses had been referred to the Ontario Veterinary College over the period September 1974 to February 1980. Data from the case records was collected and stored on a computer and statistical analysis was carried out using X(2) tests.Fifty percent (150/300) of the horses survived to be discharged from the hospital. Fifty-two horses were euthanized during the operation and another ten horses should have been; if these cases are excluded...
Slone DE, Ganjam VK, Purohit RC, Ravis WR.Six ponies and 1 horse were bilaterally adrenalectomized (BADX). The survival time of 2 of the 7 animals after BADX was 24 and 72 hours without supplemental corticosteroids. The cause of death was not related to the surgical technique. The biological half-life of cortisol (hydrocortisone) was estimated to be 2.1 +/- 0.6 hours. The disappearance of cortisol in the horse was found to be biphasic, composed of redistribution and elimination phases. Pathophysiologic changes (ie, increased serum sodium and chloride, increased PCV, and decreased serum potassium) similar to those seen in other species...
Hackett RP.Nonstrangulated colonic displacement was diagnosed by exploratory celiotomy in 32 horses with acute abdominal pain. Clinical signs progressed slowly and included evidence of mild to moderate abdominal pain, good cardiovascular status, reduced intestinal sounds, and normal peritoneal fluid, and resembled those of colonic impaction. In most horses, rectal palpation supported a diagnosis of colonic obstruction but not a diagnosis of colonic impaction.
Fidel JL.Although the diagnosis of cancer is relatively uncommon in horses, tumors do occur in this species. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are traditional cancer treatments in all species. In equine patients, surgery has often been the only treatment offered; however, not all tumors can be controlled with surgery alone. In small animal oncology, newer and better therapies are in demand and available. Radiation therapy is often used to control or palliate tumors locally, especially to satisfy clients who demand sophisticated treatments. The large size of equine patients can make radiation therapy...
Moll HD, Howard RD, May KA, Cheramie HS.Two adult Quarter Horse geldings were evaluated for signs of abdominal pain. Both horses had signs of depression and distended small intestines on abdominal palpation per rectum. Abdominal exploratory surgery was performed on both horses. In each instance, small intestine was found to be strangulated by components of the spermatic cord. Both horses were euthanatized because of a poor prognosis. Although not commonly observed, incarceration of intestine by components of the spermatic cord should be considered as a cause of small intestine strangulation in male horses. Early recognition of this ...
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.
Fürst A, Kaegi B, Haas Ch.Symptoms, diagnosis, therapy and clinical outcome of 2 horses which acquired a complete rupture of the extensor carpi radialis tendon by accident are described. The resulting gait abnormalities are very typical, so that the problem can be diagnosed already by clinical examination. With the help of ultrasound the diagnosis could be confirmed and the degree of damage quantified. The open wounds in the carpal region were surgically treated in a standing position and the limbs of both horses were kept under a splint bandage for 6 to 8 weeks. Prognosis in these cases was good, as both horses return...
Brink P.To describe surgical transposition of the levator labii superioris muscle to treat oromaxillary sinus fistula in horses. Methods: Clinical study. Methods: Three horses with chronic oromaxillary sinus fistula. Methods: After severing its tendinous insertion, the muscle belly of the levator labii superioris muscle was retracted and transposed through the oromaxillary sinus fistula. The tendon exited the oral cavity through a full-thickness buccal incision created adjacent to the oral end of the fistula and was then tunneled subcutaneously in a ventral direction before being anchored by sutures t...
Mitchell C, Riley CB.Humeral fractures are rare and usually carry a guarded prognosis in adult horses. This paper describes the evaluation and the successful surgical management of a fracture of the lateral supracondyloid crest and part of the epicondyle of the humerus in an adult quarter horse.
Prado TM, Schumacher J, Kelly GM, Henry RW.The urethral fold of 30 mares was split transversely into dorsal and ventral shelves, and the ventral shelf was used to help create a urethral extension. The dorsal shelf was stretched caudally and sutured to the roof of the extension so that it covered at least the cranial half of the extension. For 20 mares, a relaxing, vaginal incision was created cranial to the external urethral orifice to enable the dorsal shelf to be retracted further caudally. Ten of the 30 mares (33.3 per cent) developed a defect, but none developed a defect in that portion covered by the dorsal shelf of the urethral f...
Barclay WP, McCracken RJ, Phillips TN, Foerner JJ.Chronic nongranulomatous intestinal inflammation was found during laparotomy in 7 horses. The clinical signs consisted of recurrent abdominal pain in all horses. Anti-inflammatory agents (corticosteroidal and nonsteroidal agents) appeared to be effective for controlling the signs. Surgical removal of the involved intestine also was effective. Nonocclusive or temporary mesenteric ischemia was proposed as a cause of the intestinal lesions.
Sweeney RW.Malassimilation should be suspected in horses with weight loss in spite of a good appetite. Malassimilation is usually confirmed with oral glucose or D-xylose absorption tests, whereas the oral lactose tolerance test can be used to evaluate lactase deficiency in foals. Once malassimilation is confirmed, other diagnostic tests such as abdominocentesis, rectal mucosal biopsy, or exploratory laparotomy with intestinal biopsies may determine the etiology of malassimilation.
Cunneen A, Pratt S, Perkins N, McEwen M, Truchetti G, Rainger J, Farry T, Kidd L, Goodwin W.To evaluate the use of ketamine-medetomidine-midazolam total intravenous infusion as part of a balanced anaesthetic technique for surgical castration in horses. Five healthy Standardbred cross colts were premedicated with IV acepromazine (0.01-0.02 mg/kg), medetomidine (7 µg/kg) and methadone (0.1 mg/kg) and anaesthesia induced with IV ketamine (2.2 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.06 mg/kg). Horses were anaesthetised for 40 min with an IV infusion of ketamine (3 mg/kg/h), medetomidine (5 µg/kg/h) and midazolam (0.1 mg/kg/h) while routine surgical castration was performed. Cardiorespiratory variables...
Puotunen-Reinert A, Huskamp B.A retrospective study on surgical cases of colic in horses (n = 216) revealed that 42 (19.4%) developed post-surgical diarrhoea. Salmonella spp. were isolated in 6 (16.2%) of the cases (n = 37) exhibiting diarrhoea. In 35.7% of the cases (n = 42) recovery from surgery was disturbed by other complications; 23.8% (10/42) died, 2 of which from primary acute diarrhoea due to salmonellosis. Most of the outbreaks of diarrhoea occurred in winter and spring. From the associated variables examined, the duration of colic signs revealed a significant difference between the cases which developed acute pos...
Skov Hansen S, Tóth T.To report the frequency of radiocarpal joint (RCJ) perforation during two proximolateral carpal sheath (CS) approaches and to investigate whether the presence or absence of a natural communication between the RCJ and CS. Methods: Experimental, randomized, controlled study. Methods: Twelve adult horses and 12 cadaver front limbs. Methods: Proximolateral CS tenoscopy was performed on both carpi of 12 horses under general anaesthesia. Limbs were randomly assigned into two groups. In group 1, the instrument portal was centered at the level of the distal radial physeal remnant (PR). In group 2, the...
Bowen JM, Gaboury C, Bousquet D.A case of uterine torsion is described and its correction under general anaesthesia by a method described by Schaffer for the cow. The degree of torsion was 180 degrees and in a clockwise direction. After correction the foal was found to be alive and in anterior presentation and ventral position; it was born normally 84 days later.
Collatos C, Reef VB, Richardson DW.An abscess of the external umbilical remnant and umbilical vein remnant was diagnosed in a 16-month-old colt, using ultrasonography. Because of the colt's size, primary closure of the surgical incision after umbilical cord resection was not complete. Vertical mattress stainless steel sutures and stents were used, and healing was by second intention. Intervening gas-filled viscera made it impossible to visualize ultrasonographically the bladder of umbilical artery remnants in a colt of this age.
Bowman KF, Sweeney CL, Tate LP.A medial condylar fracture of the third metatarsal bone in a 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly was repaired successfully by use of compression bone plating. At discharge from the hospital, thickening of the metatarsus was evident, and proliferative changes were associated with the site of bone plate application. It was expected that these changes would limit the filly's use as a racehorse, and a return to training was not recommended. Especially in horses that may return to racing, use of compression bone plating initially should not replace stall rest or lag screw fixation treatment of this type ...
Wiemer P, Bergman HJ, van der Veen H, Pruissen L.In the period from January 1995 until December 2000, 272 horses underwent a laparotomy for gastrointestinal disorders. The results of these surgeries were evaluated. From these 272 patients 176 (= 65%) were discharged in good health from the hospital. When the patients that were euthanized immediately after the start of the surgery, because of a fatal deterioration, were not taken into account, the short time survival rate was 77%. Strangulated small and large intestinal obstructions (48%) had a lower short time survival rate than non-strangulated obstructions (87%). Fatal postoperative compli...
Sivula NJ.Between 1984 and 1989, 33 horses were diagnosed with renosplenic entrapment of the large colon. Duration of colic, signalment, physical findings, and laboratory values were determined, and treatment methods were evaluated. Nonsurgical correction was attempted in 22 of the horses with suspected renosplenic entrapment of the large colon and was successful in 11 cases. Survival and complication rates also were determined. Nonsurgical correction is a viable alternative to immediate surgery for renosplenic entrapment of the large colon, if cases are selected properly.
Gordon DL, Radtke CL.A 12-year-old Norwegian Fjord gelding was diagnosed with paranasal sinusitis as a post-operative complication of tooth repulsion surgery. The infection with inspissated purulent material persisted despite sinus trephination and lavage, and systemic antimicrobial therapy. Resolution occurred following infusion of a gelatin/penicillin mixture into the right rostral and caudal maxillary sinus. Une sinusite paranasale a été diagnostiquée chez un hongre Fjord âgé de 12 ans comme complication postopératoire d’une chirurgie pour la répulsion d’une dent. L’infection avec du matériel pur...
Fritsch R.Ultrasonography has established itself as an invaluable diagnostic aid in surgical diseases. In addition to the diagnosis of thoracic and abdominal disease, ultrasonography is increasing in importance in the examination of muscles, tendons and joints in small animals. In the horse, the application of the technique is being extended from tendon conditions to organ diseases. The optimal diagnostic information can only be achieved through the use of different scanner types.
Fulton IC, Derksen FJ, Stick JA, Robinson NE, Walshaw R.The efficacy of a nerve muscle pedicle (NMP) graft in restoring upper airway function was evaluated in exercising horses with induced left laryngeal hemiplegia. The NMP graft was created from the first cervical nerve and the omohyoideus muscle and transplanted into the left cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle. Seven adult Standardbreds were trained to exercise on a treadmill inclined at 6.38 degrees. With the horses at rest and exercising at 4.2 and 7.0 m/s, the following variables were recorded: peak inspiratory and expiratory transupper airway pressures (defined as the pressure difference betw...
Vickers KL, Ross MW.A 4-year-old sexually intact male Standardbred trotter was evaluated for left forelimb lameness. A presumptive diagnosis of severe cartilage damage was made because the horse had a history of infectious arthritis involving the left metacarpophalangeal joint. Arthroscopic evaluation revealed what was presumed to be a large villonodular lesion. The mass was surgically removed, and the horse was treated with procaine penicillin G, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, phenylbutazone, and polysulfated glycosaminoglycans and eventually returned to racing. Histologic examination of the mass revealed a bed ...
Taniguchi K, Obitsu T, Ohmura H, Hiraga A, Hata H, Aida H, Akiyama K, Tanaka K.A rigid-type of polyethylene T-cannula was fitted into the anterior ileum of six horses in order to improve the cannulation techniques. A piece of polyethylene net was fastened onto the intestinal wall around the cannula to prevent dislodgment of the cannula by promoting a secure adhesion between the ileum and the abdominal wall. The cannula barrel sheathed with silicone tubing was exteriorized through a stab incision at the lateral ventral wall on the transverse line of the second lumber vertebra, and a flange was screwed onto the barrel. The feeding regime gradually increased concentrate wit...
Pfeil L, Zetner K.A mare with rectal prolaps was operated at Vienna University. The prolaps was corrected by mucosal resection only. The remaining vital layers of the corresponding intestinal section were saved. The advantage of a special tissue saving operating technique in the rectal area is seen in avoiding postoperative complications.
Lopez MJ, Wilson DG, Vanderby R, Markel MD.To compare the mechanical properties of two stabilization methods for ostectomized equine third metacarpi (MC3): (1) an interlocking nail system and (2) two dynamic compression plates. Animal or Sample Population-Ten pairs of adult equine forelimbs intact from the midradius distally. Methods: Ten pairs of equine MC3 were divided into two test groups (five pairs each): caudocranial four-point bending and torsion. Interlocking nails (6 hole, 13-mm diameter, 230-mm length) were placed in one randomly selected bone from each pair. Two dynamic compression plates one dorsally (12 hole, 4.5-mm broad)...
Schmotzer WB, Hultgren BD, Huber MJ, Watrous BJ, Riebold TW, Wagner PC, Shires GM.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 ...
Franci P, Bertamini A, Bertamini O, Pilla T, Busetto R.A new volatile anaesthetic agent delivery system was tested in 15 horses undergoing scheduled surgical procedures. The delivery system consisted of a laptop computer (with dedicated software), a computer-controlled syringe driver (loaded with liquid isoflurane) connected to the inspiratory arm of a large-animal circle breathing system and a respiratory gas monitor, providing isoflurane end-tidal concentrations (ET(measured)) every 20 s to the computer. Following induction and connection to the breathing system, mechanical ventilation was started. The bodyweight (BW), fresh gas flow, breathing ...
Milliken JE, Paccamonti DL, Shoemaker S, Green WH.A pseudohermaphrodite horse with aggressive stallion-like behavior and ambiguous external genitalia was gonadectomized. The hypoplastic gonads removed from the abdomen were confirmed by histologic examination to be testes. Examination of blood and fibroblasts revealed a 64,XX karyotype.
Lean NE, Zedler ST, Van Eps AW, Engiles JB, Ford M, Stefanovski D, Walsh DM, Pollitt CC.Surgical stabilisation of the distal phalanx (DP) is a potential therapeutic strategy for severe acute laminitis. Objective: To evaluate the effects of locking compression plate (LCP) fixation of the DP to the dorsal hoof wall. Methods: Ex vivo and in vivo experiments. Methods: A T-shaped LCP was applied to one limb per pair in six pairs of cadaver forelimbs subjected to a combination of thermally induced lamellar failure and vertical load to simulate severe acute laminitis. Standard radiographic measurements were used to compare DP displacement. The LCP was then applied to one forefoot in 12 ...
Etherington WG, Vasey JR, Horney FD.Two cases of ethmoid hematoma of the equine are reported. Clinically both horses had intermittent unilateral epistaxis unassociated with exercise. In one horse, diagnosis was based on the use of an endoscope for visualization and for biopsy of a mass associated with the ethmoid turbinates. In the other horse, exploratory trephination of the posterior maxillary sinus was necessary to obtain a diagnostic biopsy specimen. Radiography was helpful in the diagnosis of one case. Surgical removal of the mass was attempted in one case. Histological examination of the biopsies was the single most defini...
Beroza GA, Perry RW, Cotter DM.Permanent implantation of nonabsorbable materials is appropriate in many surgical circumstances but is not commonly used to close equine celiotomies. This paper describes a simple method of continuous nonabsorbable implantation of polyamide suture used successfully to close 48 equine celiotomies. Forty-eight clean or clean-contaminated celiotomies were successfully performed over 5 years using this technique. The postsurgical survival observation period ranged from 1-6 years (median 3.5 years). There were 45 long-term survivors (93.75%). Only 2 minor implant complications (4.4%) were observed ...
