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.
Development of a biologically immortalized equine stem cell line. Bone repair in horses implies invasive surgeries and increased cost. Research on musculoskeletal disorders therapy in horses includes cell-based therapy with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Mesenchymal stromal cells can be obtained from bone marrow (BMMSCs). Unfortunately, BMMSCs have limited cell replication . The objective of this study was to develop a biologically immortalized equine stem cell line derived from bone marrow, with unlimited proliferation and the ability to differentiate into bone cells. Equine BMMSCs were transfected and immortalized with human telomerase reverse transcri...
Minimally invasive cranial ostectomy for the treatment of impinging dorsal spinous processes in 102 standing horses. To describe a minimally invasive cranial ostectomy for the treatment of impingement of dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) in the standing horse. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: One hundred two horses with impinging DSPs. Methods: The case records of all horses that had the described technique between 2011 and 2019 were reviewed. All sites of impinging DSPs were treated under standing sedation and local anesthesia. The minimally invasive cranial ostectomy of the caudal DSP was performed with bone rongeurs through multiple small incisions. Results: Of the 102 horses treated with this techniq...
Neurovascular variations in the proximal plantar metatarsal region of the horse. Neurovascular variation may be relevant when performing surgical techniques to the proximal plantar metatarsal region. Objective: To document variations in the neurovascular anatomy of the proximal plantar metatarsal region and study the relationship of the neurovascular components to each other and other structures located in this area. Methods: Descriptive anatomical study. Methods: Paired cadaver hind limbs from 15 horses were dissected from the distal tibia to the metatarsophalangeal joint. Deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (DBLPN) length, location of its origin from the lateral pla...
History and Perspective of Immunotherapy for Pythiosis. The fungus-like microorganism causes pythiosis, a life-threatening infectious disease increasingly reported worldwide. Antimicrobial drugs are ineffective. Radical surgery is an essential treatment. Pythiosis can resume post-surgically. Immunotherapy using antigens (PIA) has emerged as an alternative treatment. This review aims at providing up-to-date information of the immunotherapeutic PIA, with the focus on its history, preparation, clinical application, outcome, mechanism, and recent advances, in order to promote the proper use and future development of this treatment modality. crude ex...
Case Report: Nuchal Bursitis Associated With Borrelia burgdorferi Infection in a Horse. Cases of cranial nuchal bursitis associated with infection have not been thoroughly described. Here, we describe the case of a 17-year-old mare that was presented for low head carriage, dull demeanor, and resistance to haltering. Imaging supported a diagnosis of nuchal bursitis, and bursoscopy with surgical debridement of the nuchal bursa was performed. was identified by molecular diagnostics in serial samples of the bursal fluid, with no other organisms identified. Serology revealed significant elevation in antibodies directed against OspA of , but not the typical infection markers, OspC an...
Impact of endotracheal tube size and cuff pressure on tracheal and laryngeal mucosa of adult horses. To assess the effects of two sizes of silicone endotracheal tubes with internal diameter 26 mm (ETT) and 30 mm (ETT) inflated to minimum occlusive volume on tracheal and laryngeal mucosa of adult horses anesthetized for 2 hours with isoflurane. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover experimental study. Methods: A total of eight healthy adult mares. Methods: Upper airway endoscopy and ultrasound measurements of internal tracheal diameter were performed the day before anesthesia. Horses were anesthetized and orotracheally intubated with ETT or ETT. Ease of intubation was scored. Th...
Cardiopulmonary function and intestinal blood flow in anaesthetised, experimentally endotoxaemic horses given a constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine. Endotoxaemia causes untoward inflammatory-mediated effects that might be attenuated by dexmedetomidine. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a dexmedetomidine intravenous (IV) infusion on systemic and intestinal haemodynamics and arterial blood gas values in sevoflurane-anaesthetised horses administered Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Methods: Randomised controlled in vivo experiment. Methods: A total of 13 horses weighing 456 ± 86 kg (mean ± standard deviation) and aged 13.9 ± 9.0 years donated for euthanasia underwent ventral midline celiotomy using sevoflurane...
Infrarenal aortic reconstruction using autologous femoral vein for a mycotic aneurysm caused by Streptococcus equi. A common source of infection in equine, , is an uncommon pathogen in humans, rarely identified as the cause for mycotic aortic aneurysms. Typically associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk or contact with horses, can result in severe bacteremia, endocarditis and meningitis. We describe the presentation and successful management of a 69-year-old retired equestrian who underwent infrarenal aortic resection and reconstruction using autologous right femoral vein for a mycotic aneurysm.
Development and Formative Evaluation of a Low-Fidelity Equine Castration Model for Veterinary Education. Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are units of activity that early-stage professionals perform in the workplace that necessitate simultaneous integration of multiple competencies. EPA #6 requires students to perform a common surgical procedure on a stable patient, including pre-operative and post-operative management. Castration is one of the most common surgeries performed by equine primary care practitioners and is considered an "entry-level competency" for veterinary graduates entering equine private practice, however, to our knowledge there are no equine castration models availabl...
Postoperative Ileus: Comparative Pathophysiology and Future Therapies. Postoperative ileus (POI), a decrease in gastrointestinal motility after surgery, is an important problem facing human and veterinary patients. 37.5% of horses that develop POI following small intestinal (SI) resection will not survive to discharge. The two major components of POI pathophysiology are a neurogenic phase which is then propagated by an inflammatory phase. Perioperative care has been implicated, namely the use of opioid therapy, inappropriate fluid therapy and electrolyte imbalances. Current therapy for POI variably includes an early return to feeding to induce physiological motil...
Primary Uterine Hemangiosarcoma in a Thoroughbred: A Case Report. A 1.8-year-old maiden Thoroughbred filly, without previous history of mating or reproductive management, was referred for clinical inspection due to the presence of sanguineous vaginal discharge and severe abdominal pain. Transrectal palpation indicated uterine asymmetry, and transrectal ultrasonography revealed a mass near the cervix measuring 8.3 cm in diameter, with heterogeneous echogenicity, a trabeculated center, and a well-defined hyperechoic border. Smaller masses surrounded the larger uterine mass. During the examination, the mare expelled a uterine mass through the vulva. Histologica...
Accuracy and trending capability of haemoglobin measurement by noninvasive pulse co-oximetry in anaesthetized horses. To assess the accuracy and trending capability of continuous measurement of haemoglobin concentration [Hb], haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO) and oxygen content (CaO) measured by the Masimo Radical-7 pulse co-oximeter in horses undergoing inhalational anaesthesia. Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. Methods: A group of 23 anaesthetized adult horses. Methods: In 23 healthy adult horses undergoing elective surgical procedures, paired measurements of pulse co-oximetry-based haemoglobin concentration (SpHb), SaO (SpO), and CaO (SpOC) and simultaneous arterial blood samples were co...
In Vivo Biofilm Formation of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. in the Vitreous Humor of Horses with Recurrent Uveitis. Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) causes painful inflammatory attacks and oftentimes blindness in the affected eyes. The disease is considered a late sequela of systemic leptospirosis. The most effective therapy is the surgical removal of the vitreous (vitrectomy), which is not only therapeutic, but provides vitreous material that can be assessed diagnostically. For example, the lipL32 gene, culturable Leptospira spp., and anti-Leptospira antibodies have all been detected in vitreous samples obtained from eyes with chronic ERU. Despite this clear evidence of leptospiral involvement, the systemic ...
Survival and racing performance after surgical treatment of rib fractures in foals. To evaluate the short and long-term outcomes of foals treated surgically for fractured ribs and variables that may affect outcome. Methods: Retrospective. Methods: Seventy-three equine neonates with surgically repaired fractured ribs. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to include sex, breed, the side of thorax affected, number of ribs fractured, co-morbidities directly associated with rib fracture, and surgical technique used. Short-term outcome was defined as survival to discharge. Long-term outcome was whether or not they started a race. Race records of maternal siblings were obtained fo...
The effects of xylazine or detomidine when used as a pre-anesthetic sedative on recovery quality and duration in horses undergoing elective equine castration. The purpose of this prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial was to compare the effects of low dose detomidine to xylazine on recovery quality and duration in a castration procedure. Horses were administered either detomidine [0.015 mg/kg body weight (BW)] or xylazine (1.1 mg/kg BW) intravenously (IV) before IV induction with ketamine (2.2 mg/kg BW) and diazepam (0.05 mg/kg BW). Two anesthesiologists who were unaware of treatment allocation scored the recoveries using a simple descriptive scale (with a low number representing the most desirable recovery) and recoveries were timed. Horse...
Demographic, preoperative and anaesthesia-related risk factors for unsatisfactory recovery quality in horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. To determine demographic, preoperative and anaesthesia-related variables that may be associated with unsatisfactory recovery quality in horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery (colic) in an equine teaching hospital. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: A total of 313 horses. Methods: The anaesthetic records of horses admitted for surgical treatment of colic between 2005 and 2018 were examined. Overall quality of recovery was assessed as dangerous, poor, fair, good or excellent. The following categories were constructed as a dichotomic variable: unsatisfactory recovery (poor and d...
Cross-sectional study to identify the prevalence of and factors associated with laminitis in UK donkeys. Laminitis causes lameness in donkeys, but its prevalence and factors associated with disease remain uncertain. Objective: To determine the prevalence of and identify factors associated with laminitis in donkeys. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: All donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary, UK, October 2015 to March 2019 were included. For animals that had laminitis during this period, age, sex, weight, body condition score, and the onset date and type of each episode (first or recurrent, acute or chronic) were recorded. Additionally, management data, foot lesion score, endocrine d...
Methadone or Butorphanol as Pre-Anaesthetic Agents Combined with Romifidine in Horses Undergoing Elective Surgery: Qualitative Assessment of Sedation and Induction. While butorphanol is the most commonly used opioid in horses, methadone is not licensed in most countries. Our aim was to compare the effects of both drugs, combined with romifidine, regarding the quality of sedation and induction in horses undergoing elective surgery. Results indicate the suitability of both methadone and butorphanol in this patient population. Animals were scored 10 min after intravenous injection of sedatives. Despite lower overall sedation (OS) score in horses receiving methadone (p = 0.002), the quality and time of induction and intubation remained unchanged. None of the ...
Data Collection for the Fourth Multicentre Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF4) Study: New Technology and Preliminary Results. It is almost 20 years since the largest observational, multicentre study evaluating the risks of mortality associated with general anaesthesia in horses. We proposed an internet-based method to collect data (cleaned and analysed with R) in a multicentre, cohort, observational, analytical, longitudinal and prospective study to evaluate peri-operative equine mortality. The objective was to report the usefulness of the method, illustrated with the preliminary data, including outcomes for horses seven days after undergoing general anaesthesia and certain procedures using standing sedation. Within ...
[Urachal patency in neonatal foals – a review of the literature]. Urachal patency is an umbilical disease in newborn foals. Etiologically, either the closure of the urachus remains absent after birth (persistent urachus) or the urachus was already closed and reopens at a later time (patent urachus). The most common causes of patent urachus are congenital defects, tearing of the navel above the predilection site, trauma, increased intravesical or abdominal pressure and umbilical infections. Patent urachus occurs more frequently in premature or weak and immunocompromised foals. Colts are more often affected than fillies. Typical clinical signs are apparent imm...
Acute abdominal dehiscence following laparotomy: A multicentre, international retrospective study. Incisional complications are a common cause of morbidity following laparotomy. Although uncommon, acute abdominal dehiscence (AAD) is a potentially fatal post-operative complication. However, few AAD cases are described in the literature. Objective: To describe common features of cases of AAD following ventral midline laparotomy, management and outcomes. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Hospital records of horses that underwent a ventral midline laparotomy at nine hospitals in the UK, Ireland and USA over a 10-year period (2009-2019) were reviewed. Data were collected for pre-, int...
Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges for Diaphragmatic Hernia in Equids: A Concise Review of Literature. Diaphragmatic hernia (DH) represents an acute abdominal crisis, but respiratory symptoms may be occurring. Different types of diaphragmatic hernias (DHs) like typical DH, Morgagni hernia, hiatal hernia and diaphragmatic diverticulum have been recorded in equids. These DHs have various clinical presentations and prognoses. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical repair are highly recommended in order to diminish the ischemic changes to thoracic and abdominal viscera, thus improving the overall prognosis of equids with DH. Over last decade, the prognosis of DH in equids was better than previously be...
Outcomes following single, caudally based bilateral versus unilateral frontonasal sinusotomy for treatment of equine paranasal sinus disease. Bilateral sinus disease is relatively uncommon in horses, accounting for 3%-4.5% of horses with sinonasal disease, but may require bilateral paranasal surgery for complete resolution. Complications and recurrence following bilateral sinusotomy have not been reported or compared to those following unilateral procedures. To describe clinical features and outcomes in horses undergoing standing single, caudally based bilateral frontonasal sinusotomy compared to unilateral frontonasal surgery. Records of horses (n = 37) undergoing surgical treatment for sinus disease (five bilateral, 32 unilatera...
Neuromuscular blockade with atracurium for ophthalmic surgery in horses-Effects on surgical and anesthetic characteristics and recovery quality. To study the surgical, anesthetic and recovery qualities of horses receiving either a neuromuscular blocking agent (atracurium) or intravenous lidocaine (treatment groups A and L, respectively). Methods: A total of thirty horses presented for ocular surgery were used in this study. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to receive either atracurium (group A) or a lidocaine constant rate infusion (group L). Surgical quality was graded on a scale from 1 (excellent)-5 (poor). While anesthetized, the heart rate, oxygen saturation and mean arterial blood pressure, and end-expiratory carbon dioxide ...
Summer Sores Secondary to a Hoof Crack in an Andalusian Stallion. Cutaneous habronemosis in horses is caused by larvae of the spirurid nematodes Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae. These lesions, also known as "summer sores'', are often severe and disfiguring. Although Habronema-caused lesions at the coronary grooves have been described, cases of hoof cracks with secondary summer sores have never been reported. The present case describes clinic-pathological and surgical features of a quarter crack case complicated by cutaneous habronemosis at the dermal layers. A 15-year-old, Andalusian stallion was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the ...
Use of Polyamide (Nylon) Cable Ties for Vascular Ligation of Healthy Equine Jejunal Mesentery. Jejunal vascular ligation is an essential step in performing jejunojejunostomy. Hand sewn ligation is typically used and can increase operative time with long sections of bowel to be removed. Nylon cable ties (NCT) have been used for vascular ligation in horses but are yet to be investigated for application on the mesenteric vasculature of the gastrointestinal tract. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and short-term safety of NCT jejunal mesenteric vessel ligation in healthy horses. Eight healthy adult horses underwent midline celiotomy. A segment of jejunal mesentery was identified (...
A critical evaluation for validation of composite and unidimensional postoperative pain scales in horses. Proper pain therapy requires adequate pain assessment. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Unesp-Botucatu horse acute pain scale (UHAPS), the Orthopedic Composite Pain Scale (CPS) and unidimensional scales in horses admitted for orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. Forty-two horses were assessed and videotaped before surgery, up to 4 hours postoperatively, up to 3 hours after analgesic treatment, and 24 hours postoperatively (168 video clips). After six evaluators viewing each edited video clip twice in random order at a 20-day interval, they chose whether analgesia would b...