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.
Singleton C, Manchella S, Nastri A.The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of equine-related maxillofacial trauma that required operative treatment in patients who presented to a level-one trauma centre in Melbourne between 2011 and 2016. A total of 28 patients (16 female and 12 male, median (range) age 31 (16-76) years) were identified from a database of all operatively managed maxillofacial trauma cases, and data were collected on demographics, mechanisms and patterns of injury, and management. The most common mechanism was kicking (n=16), which was also the most likely to result in multiple injuries. Half the patien...
Costello J, Firshman AM, Brown JC, Maher M, Tadros EM.A 16-year-old American Paint Horse gelding was presented for evaluation of weight loss and high serum thyroid hormone concentrations resulting from a functional thyroid adenoma. The horse showed no response to a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test. Clinical signs resolved following surgical removal of the adenoma. . Un cheval American Paint Horse hongre âgé de 16 ans fut présenté pour évaluation à la suite d’une perte de poids et d’une concentration sérique élevée d’hormone thyroïdienne résultant d’un adénome thyroïdien fonctionnel. Le cheval ne démontrai...
Noguera Cender A, Mählman K, Lischer CJ.To describe and evaluate an alternative technique for tenoscopic resection of the manica flexoria (MF). Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Equine cadaver forelimbs and hind limbs (n = 36). Methods: Three surgeons varying in experience resected the MF in 12 limbs. The procedure was divided into six steps, including resection of the lateral/medial borders of the MF with a hook knife and resection of the proximal border with a micro scalpel. Outcomes compared between surgeons included completeness of resection, appearance of the margins of resection, appearance of the resected MF, collateral da...
Ramzan PHL, Wylie CE.Arthroscopy is considered the treatment of choice for dorsal osteochondral chip fractures of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joints in the racehorse; however, there is no published research on non-surgical management of this injury. Objective: To compare clinical features, intra-articular medication use and return to racing in Thoroughbred racehorses with non-surgically (non-SX) or surgically (SX) managed MCP/MTP dorsal chip fracture. Methods: Retrospective observational study conducted between 2006 and 2014. Methods: Radiographs of Thoroughbred racehorses were reviewed to identify...
Bowen IM, Redpath A, Dugdale A, Burford JH, Lloyd D, Watson T, Hallowell GD.Primary care guidelines provide a reference point to guide clinicians based on a systematic review of the literature, contextualised by expert clinical opinion. These guidelines develop a modification of the GRADE framework for assessment of research evidence (vetGRADE) and applied this to a range of clinical scenarios regarding use of analgesic agents. Key guidelines produced by the panel included recommendations that horses undergoing routine castration should receive intratesticular local anaesthesia irrespective of methods adopted and that horses should receive NSAIDs prior to surgery (ove...
Cercone M, Olsen E, Perkins JD, Cheetham J, Mitchell LM, Ducharme NG.Exercise induced intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) is a common cause of airway obstruction and poor performance in racehorses. The definite etiology is still unclear, but through an experimental model, a role in the development of this condition was identified in the dysfunction of the thyro-hyoid muscles. The present study aimed to elucidate the nature of this dysfunction by investigating the spontaneous response to exercise of the thyro-hyoid muscles in racehorses with naturally occurring DDSP. Intramuscular electrodes were implanted in the thyro-hyoid muscles of nin...
Gustafsson K, Tatz AJ, Dahan R, Kelmer G.Case history: Medical records were reviewed of horses (n = 7) undergoing surgery for fracture of one or more facial bones extending into the paranasal sinuses that was repaired primarily within 24 hours of the time of injury using a rotational periosteal flap, between April 2009 and May 2017. A kick from another horse was the cause of the injury of three horses, and one horse was injured when it collided with a tree. The cause of the injury of three horses was unknown.Clinical findings and treatment: Fractures were of the right maxillary bone in two horses, the left maxillary bone in two h...
Beste KJ, Ortved KF, Rossignol F, Ducharme NG.To describe the use of a silicone-covered laser guide and diode laser for surgical correction of epiglottic entrapment and report postoperative outcomes in horses with epiglottic entrapment. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses (n = 29) with epiglottic entrapment. Methods: A silicone-covered laser guide was placed endoscopically to direct the diode laser cutting action during transection of the entrapping subepiglottic membrane and to act as a physical barrier between the membrane and the epiglottic cartilage. Postoperative complications and tra...
Isgren CM, Salem SE, Singer ER, Wylie CE, Lipreri G, Graham RJTY, Bladon B, Boswell JC, Fiske-Jackson AR, Mair TS, Rubio-Martínez LM.Previous studies investigating factors associated with survival following endoscopic treatment of contamination/sepsis of the calcaneal bursa are limited. Objective: To investigate the factors associated with survival in horses with contamination/sepsis of the calcaneal bursae treated endoscopically and to describe the bacterial isolates involved in the synovial infections. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical records. Methods: Medical records from 128 horses with contamination/sepsis of the calcaneal bursae treated by endoscopic lavage at seven equine hospitals were reviewed. A follow-...
Melinyshyn H.A 13-year-old Morgan crossbred mare was presented in May 2018 with a 10-cm mass on the medial aspect of the left hind fetlock. In September and November 2018 and June 2019 the mass was incompletely excised and continued to grow. A diagnosis of spindle cell tumor, consistent with equine sarcoid, was made based on histopathology from the last excision. . Une jument Morgan croisée âgée de 13 ans a été présentée en mai 2018 avec une masse de 10 cm sur l’aspect médial du boulet arrière gauche. En septembre et novembre 2018 ainsi qu’en juin 2019, la masse avait été excisée de manièr...
Riddell LP, Yoshimura S, MacKay AV, Wilson DG.A 17-year-old Quarter horse mare was presented because of traumatic luxation of the fifth sacral and first coccygeal vertebrae resulting in loss of sensation, motor function, and perfusion of the tail. The case was complicated by an associated tail head hematoma. Due to the severity of the injury, tail amputation was performed at the level of the luxation. Tail amputations in horses at the sacrococcygeal junction following a suspected tail pull injury are infrequently reported in the literature. . Une jument Quarter horse âgée de 17 ans fut présentée pour cause de luxation traumatique de l...
de Paula VB, Canola PA, Rivera GG, Z Filho D, Amaral GPD, Ferraz GC, Ferraudo AS, Canola JC.To investigate effects of postural changes and bladder distention on intrabladder pressure whilst estimating intra-abdominal pressure in horses. Two-year cohort study. Patients admitted for elective surgical procedures unrelated to gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. 20 adult horses, 11 males (stallions and geldings) and 9 females; between 3.5 and 12 years, weighing 350 to 500 kg. Intra-abdominal pressure was directly-recorded through abdominocentesis at the ventral midline with a fluid-filled system. Intrabladder ...
Malalana F, Ireland JL, Pinchbeck G, McGowan CM.Uveitis appears to be less prevalent in the UK compared with other parts of the world and studies characterising the disease in the UK are lacking. The objectives of this retrospective study were to describe acute and recurrent cases presenting for management of uveitis in a referral hospital on the North West of England and compare the signalment of horses presenting with uveitis with the equine hospital population during the same period. Methods: Medical records of horses presented to the referral Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool with signs of uveitis between 2008 and 2018 were revie...
Giusto G, Caramello V, Comino F, Gandini M.In this study the caecum and large colon were harvested from 24 slaughtered horses. On each sample, an 8‑cm long enterotomy was performed. Enterotomies were closed using either barbed or unbarbed glycomer‑631. We compared the time to close, appearance, length of suture material, bursting pressure, and costs associated with each type of material. Our findings demonstrated that time to close was significantly shorter (caecum, P = 0.034; pelvic flexure, P = 0.039) using barbed sutures (caecum 610.4 seconds; pelvic flexure 699.3 seconds) than unbarbed sutures (caecum 661.0 seconds, pelvic flex...
Carmalt KP, Carmalt JL, Henderson K, Allen AL, Wilson DG.To determine the holding capacity of a 5.5-mm-diameter cortical bone screw when placed in the third phalanx (P3) of horses and assess whether screw placement through the dorsal hoof wall into P3 would be tolerated by clinically normal horses and would alleviate signs of pain and prevent P3 rotation in horses with oligofructose-induced laminitis. Methods: 40 limbs from 10 equine cadavers and 19 clinically normal adult horses. Methods: In part 1 of a 3-part study, a 5.5-mm-diameter cortical bone screw was inserted by use of a lag-screw technique through the dorsal hoof wall midline into P3 of 40...
Poore LA, Le Roux C, Carstens A.A definitive diagnosis of extensive suture line exostoses affecting the nasofrontal, nasolacrimal, nasomaxillary, frontolacrimal, lacrimozygomatic and lacrimomaxillary suture lines in a 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare with chronic bilateral epiphora and facial deformation was achieved using standing computed tomography (CT) examinations. Positive contrast dacryocystorhinography using CT revealed partial bilateral obstruction of the nasolacrimal ducts. Minimally displaced depression fractures of the right nasal bone, the right maxillary bone and right frontal bone were also demonstrated. The cosme...
Kent AV, Chesworth MJ, Wells G, Gerdes C, Bladon BM, Smith RKW, Fiske-Jackson AR.Pathology of the digital flexor tendon sheath is a significant cause of lameness in the horse. Imaging is important to identify lesions and inform on prognosis prior to tenoscopic surgery. Objective: To use a large population to evaluate 1) the sensitivity and specificity of digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) contrast radiographs in diagnosing manica flexoria (MF) tears, deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) tears and constriction of the palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) using novel criteria; 2) predisposition to pathology in signalment and limb affected. Methods: Multicentre retrospective co...
Needles RK, Dubois MS.This case report documents an unusual case of persistent colic in a horse caused by an anomalous vascularized band of tissue running between the visceral surface of the liver and the mesentery of the large colon at the level of the sternal/diaphragmatic flexures. The horse was presented with a history of exhibiting signs of mild persistent colic that were suspected to be caused by displacement of the large colon. Volvulus of the large colon was identified during exploratory celiotomy. The band of tissue was transected, and the displacement corrected. The horse made an uneventful recovery. Trai...
Arévalo Rodríguez JM, Grulke S, Salciccia A, de la Rebière de Pouyade G.Nephrosplenic space closure is commonly used to reduce relapse of nephrosplenic space entrapment in cases of left dorsal displacement of the left colon (LDDLC). Nevertheless, studies documenting the effectiveness of this surgery are sparse in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyse clinical data of horses presented for LDDLC and evaluate the effect of nephrosplenic space closure on the incidence of colic recurrence. Medical records of 156 horses diagnosed with LDDLC at the Equine Clinic of the University of Liège between 2004 and 2016 were retrieved for analysis. Extracted data i...
Koskinen MJ, Virtala AK, McNally T.To assess racing performance of National Hunt thoroughbred (NH) racehorses with a definite diagnosis of palatal dysfunction treated with a laryngeal tie-forward procedure (LTF) and soft palate cautery (SPC) with or without transendoscopic laser excision of the aryepiglottic folds (TLEAF) and to determine correlation between performance measures. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: National Hunt racehorses treated with LTF, SPC ± TLEAF (n = 44) and nonaffected controls (n = 88). Methods: Performance was evaluated by using Racing Post ratings (RPR), race earnings (RE), and perform...
James OA, Elce Y, Cillán-Garcia E, Reardon RJM. The aim of this study was to determine whether a clamped drill guide can be used effectively to drill across equine distal third metacarpals and metatarsals and to compare accuracy and speed of a drilling with a hand-held drill guide. Methods: Eighty equine cadaver limbs were divided between four surgeons with varying experience. The limbs were randomly allocated to clamped or hand-held drill guides and placed in a stand in an upright/standing position on a metal table. Drilling times from cis- to trans cortices were measured. Post-drilling computed tomography images were used to assess ...
Racine J, O'Brien T, Bladon BM, Cruz AM, Stoffel MH, Haenssgen K, Rodgerson DH, Livesey MA, Koch C.To investigate the feasibility and complications associated with ceratohyoidectomy (CHE) in standing sedated horses unaffected (experimental horses) and standing sedated horses affected (clinical cases) with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO). Methods: Case series. Methods: Six experimental horses and four clinical cases. Methods: Standing CHE was performed in six experimental horses euthanized 30 minutes (n = 3) and 7 days (n = 3) postoperatively. The four clinical cases were presented because of central facial nerve paralysis (n = 3), vestibular ataxia (n = 3), auricular hemorrhage (n =...
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...
Moyer CT, Bramlage LR, Werre SR, Ruggles A, Embertson R, Hopper S.To describe the presence of fragments in the dorsal proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and to report flat racing performance after surgical treatment. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirty-nine affected thoroughbred flat racehorses and 169 age- and sex-matched maternal siblings. Methods: Medical records from 2000 to 2015 were reviewed for thoroughbred horses that underwent arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments in the dorsal aspect of the PIP joint. The horses' 2-year-old year, 3-year-old year, and career athletic performances were compared with their matched siblings. Resul...
Iglesias-García M, Roquet I, Jiménez J, Martín-Cuervo M, Fuentes-Romero B, Ezquerra-Calvo LJ.To describe the history, clinical signs, and management of six horses in which subtendinous bursitis of the long digital extensor tendon (LDET) in the hind limb fetlock had been diagnosed. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Six privately owned horses. Methods: The medical records of horses presented at the hospital with similar sypmtoms were evaluated and collected. Finally 6 horses met the inclusion criteria and the relevant data were compiled and analysed. In three of the six cases a surgical treatment was carried out. Results: All horses had similar clinical signs, mainly distenti...
Barker I, Freeman SL.Colic is the most common emergency problem in horses. The aims of this study were to survey costs of different referral treatments and to review insurance policies relevant to horses with colic. Data were collected retrospectively from nine equine hospitals for case costs, categorised into four different outcomes: admitted and euthanased; euthanased during or immediately after surgery; medical treatment and survived more than 24 hours; and surgical treatment and survived more than 24 hours. Data from five UK equine insurance companies were extracted and analysed using a standardised case e...
Bryner MF, Hoey SE, Montavon S, Fürst AE, Kümmerle JM.To determine long term outcomes of nonracing equines athletes treated for short incomplete proximal sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (SIPSFP1) by lag screw fixation. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirty-one horses. Methods: Medical records from horses with an SIPSFP1 (2008-2014) were reviewed. Long-term (≥12 months) outcomes were assessed with telephone interviews and clinical and radiographic examinations. Results: Warmblood was the predominant breed in cases included in the study. Among horses with long-term interview information, 27 of 31 returned to previous athletic...
Nieto JE, Snyder JR, Vatistas NJ, Spier SJ, Van Hoogmoed L.To describe the insertion technique, efficacy, and complications associated with the use of an active (closed-suction) abdominal drain in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Animals-Sixty-seven horses with abdominal contamination treated by abdominal lavage and use of a closed-suction abdominal drain. Methods: Medical records of horses (1989-1996) that had a closed-suction abdominal drain were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interviews with owners. Results: Sixty-eight closed-suction abdominal drains were used in 67 horses that had abdominal contamination, peritonit...
DeLorey MS.The goal of this retrospective study was to record the direction of the diagonal incisor malocclusion (DIM) and excursion to molar contact (EMC) distances both before and after corrective procedures to determine if any general trends were apparent which may aid in predicting the outcome of DIM corrections. Pre-correction and post-correction data were compared to confirm a benefit to the patient from the corrective procedure. The results of this preliminary study reveal a few general trends to serve as basic guidelines for the practitioner Lateral EMC distances to the left and right in cases of...
Scott GS, Crawford WH, Colahan PT.To determine arthroscopic findings in lame horses with subtle radiographic lesions of the medial femoral condyle. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 15 horses examined because of lameness that had subtle radiographic evidence of osteochondral lesions involving the medial femoral condyle in at least 1 joint. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and results of physical examination, radiography, and arthroscopy were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained through reexamination of the horses or telephone conversations with the referring veterinarians, owners, or trainers. Results: Lame...
Gross I, Hadar A, Bala M, Hashavya S.Horse riding has become increasingly popular in recent years and is a common activity among children. As a result, pediatric horse-related injuries are frequently encountered in emergency departments. Objective: To examine the characteristics of horse-related injuries in the pediatric population. Methods: We collected and analyzed the data on all pediatric horse-related injuries presented to a tertiary hospital, level one trauma center, during the years 2006-2016. Results: A total of 53 children with horse-related injuries were documented. Forty-two patients were male (79%) and their mean age ...
Sedlinská M, Kabeš R, Novák M, Kološ F, Melková P.A five-month-old African jenny was presented with a history of exercise intolerance and syncopal episodes. Severe bradycardic arrhythmia due to a high-grade second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block with progression to complete AV block was diagnosed. The jenny underwent a transvenous single-chamber pacemaker implantation. The implantation procedure was performed in a lateral recumbency and the ventricular lead was inserted through the jugular vein. Positioning of the lead was guided by echocardiography. The pacemaker was programmed to VVI mode with a minimal ventricular rate of 40 pulses per ...
Théon AP, Pascoe JR, Galuppo LD, Fisher PE, Griffey SM, Madigan JE.To determine the benefits of reducing the interval between surgical cytoreduction and intratumoral administration of cisplatin. Methods: Randomized clinical study. Methods: 70 horses with 89 incompletely resected T2- and T3-stage sarcoids (n = 64) and squamous cell carcinomas (25). Methods: Horses were given 4 intratumoral treatments of cisplatin at 2-week intervals. The first treatment was given at the time of, or immediately after, surgical resection for horses treated in accordance with the perioperative protocol (group 1). Horses in group 2 were treated with cisplatin after the skin healed...
Hardy J, Minton M, Robertson JT, Beard WL, Beard LA.The clinical findings and outcome of 161 horses diagnosed with 174 episodes of nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) were reviewed retrospectively. The median age at presentation was 5 years (9 months to 24 years), and duration of colic was 2-92 h. Nasogastric reflux was present in 49 of 113 horses (43.4%) and was significant (> or = 21) in 32 (28.3%) horses. The recurrence rate was 13/161 (8.1%). Thirteen horses (13/174, 7.5%) had other lesions including small intestinal obstruction (4), 360 degrees large colon torsion (5), gastric rupture (2), thromboembolic colic (1) and small colon infarction (1)...
Underwood C, Southwood LL, Walton RM, Johnson AL.To determine: (1) changes in blood ammonia, bile acid (BA), bilirubin, triglyceride, and glucose concentrations and liver enzyme activities in perioperative colic patients and (2) the association between these laboratory findings and short-term survival. Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. Methods: Thirty-two adult horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic. Methods: None. Results: Blood samples were collected preoperatively and at 24-36 and 72-84 hours postoperatively and analyzed for blood ammonia, BA, bilirubin, triglyceride, and glucose concentrations and sorbitol deh...
Relave F, David F, Leclère M, Alexander K, Bussières G, Lavoie JP, Marcoux M.To evaluate use of pre-tied ligating loop to perform thoracoscopic, large lung biopsy in normal and heaves-affected horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Normal (n=5) and heaves-affected (n=6) horses. Methods: Lung biopsies, 1 from each hemithorax, were collected thoracoscopically using a pre-tied ligating loop. Horses were either normal (C) or heaves-affected with the latter being in remission (Ha) for the initial biopsy and in exacerbation (Hs) for the 2nd biopsy. Clinical variables, PaO(2), and PaCO(2) were used to determine the effect of surgical biopsy. Postoperative pneum...
da Silveira EA, Bubeck KA, Batista ER, Piat P, Laverty S, Beauchamp G, Archambault M, Elce Y.This prospective clinical study evaluates the effectiveness of an alcohol-based hand rub (Avagard™) for pre-surgical hand antisepsis in an equine hospital and compares it with traditional scrubbing technique using 4% chlorhexidine gluconate sponges and water. Prior to elective surgery, 3 board-certified surgeons were randomly assigned to hand antisepsis with either technique. Culture samples of each hand were taken at 4 times: before and after neutral soap hand wash, after scrub or rubbing technique, and after surgery. There was no significant difference in mean bacterial colony forming unit...
Grahn BH, Cullen CL.This retrospective clinical study describes the clinical manifestations, light microscopic findings, and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic lens rupture in the horse. Rupture of the lens capsule in the horse usually results in a chronic, blinding inflammation (phacoclastic uveitis) unless prompt surgical and medical therapies are implemented. The clinical manifestations of acute lens capsule rupture included: cataract; intralenticular displacement of iridal pigment; lens cortical fragments attached to the perforated lens capsule, iris, and corneal endothelium; miosis; aqueous flare; ...
Worster AA, Lillich JD, Cox JH, Rush BR.A 9-year-old pregnant mare was referred for evaluation of a nonhealing wound of 8 weeks' duration on the lateral aspect of the left forelimb. A soft tissue mass encircled the proximal two thirds of the metacarpus; radiography revealed a moderate periosteal reaction affecting metacarpal bone i.v. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations revealed eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation and Pythium sp in the soft tissues. The mare was treated for 12 days with antimicrobials, medicated wound dressings, debridement, and i.v. administration of sodium iodide; radiography revealed progression o...
Gozalo-Marcilla M, Hopster K, Gasthuys F, Hatz L, Krajewski AE, Schauvliege S.Dexmedetomidine has been administered in the equine as a constant-rate infusion (CRI) during inhalation anaesthesia, preserving optimal cardiopulmonary function with calm and coordinated recoveries. Inhalant anaesthetic sparing effects have been demonstrated in other species, but not in horses. Objective: To determine the effects of a CRI of dexmedetomidine on the minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in ponies. Methods: Six healthy adult ponies were involved in this prospective, randomised, crossover, blinded, experimental study. Each pony was anaesthetised twice (3 weeks washou...
Christophersen MT, Tnibar A, Pihl TH, Andersen PH, Ekstrøm CT.There is a paucity of studies addressing sporting activity and horse owners' satisfaction after horses have undergone colic surgery. Objective: To determine 1) survival rate after colic surgery, 2) prevalence of horses returning to, or starting, sporting activities and 3) assess the owners' satisfaction regarding colic surgery. Methods: Cases that underwent exploratory celiotomy for colic between January 2005 and August 2010 were reviewed. All horses that had one or more celiotomies and were discharged after colic surgery were included in a telephone questionnaire survey. Only horses that surv...
Fischer AT, Vachon AM.Laparoscopic intra-abdominal ligation and removal of cryptorchid testes in horses was evaluated retrospectively in 50 horses that underwent the procedure between 1991 and 1996. Sixty-one cryptorchid testes were removed by one of the following methods; the use of 1) an endoscoping stapling and transection device, 2) an endoscopic clipping device, 3) an endoscopic ligating loop. Monopolar electrosurgery was combined with these methods to facilitate coagulation and cutting of tissue. In 8 horses, 9 testes were retained between the internal and external inguinal rings. The inguinal testes were rem...
Minshall GJ, Wright IM.Clinical association between the branches of insertion of the suspensory ligament (SL) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints has been reported. However, there has been no assessment of the lengths of the SL branches which are subsynovial with respect to the joints or reports of involvement of the MCP/MTP joints in injuries of the SL branches. Objective: To establish proportions of SL branches subsynovial with respect to the MCP/MTP joints and report clinical and arthroscopic findings in horses with desmitis of SL branches identified as having an articular component...
Angermair J, Bosshardt DD, Nelson K, Flügge TV, Stricker A, Fretwurst T.The aim of this prospective, clinical study was to evaluate the clinical performance and histological outcome of a new equine hydroxyapatite collagenated bone block (eHAC) for horizontal bone grafting prior to implant placement. Methods: Five patients (two male/three female) with a mean age of 51.6 years (range 22-66 years) and a reduced horizontal bone width of the alveolar ridge (mean 3.5 mm) underwent horizontal bone grafting using eHAC at 10 grafting sites. Reentry was performed 6.9 months after the horizontal grafting procedure. Clinical follow-up (mean 28.9 month) considered width g...
Hopster-Iversen CC, Hopster K, Staszyk C, Rohn K, Freeman DE, Rötting AK.To determine characteristics of the inflammatory reaction in the jejunum of horses in response to various mechanical manipulations. Methods: 12 adult warm blood horses without gastrointestinal tract disorders. Methods: The proximal aspect of the jejunum in each horse was divided into 5 segments, and the following manipulations were performed: manual emptying, placement of Doyen forceps, enterotomy alone, enterotomy with mucosal abrasion, and serosal abrasion. Jejunum samples were collected before (control), immediately after, and 30 minutes after the end of manipulations and histologically eva...
Nannarone S, Spadavecchia C.To compare the ability of 2 partial IV anesthesia (PIVA) techniques to maintain anesthesia, compared with isoflurane alone, in horses. Methods: 45 horses. Methods: Client-owned horses requiring general anesthesia for a variety of procedures of at least 1 hour's duration were randomly allocated to 3 groups (n = 15/group) that differed for the maintenance protocol. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane with a starting end-tidal isoflurane concentration of 1.3% (isoflurane group) or a concentration of 1% supplemented with an adjustable continuous infusion of guaifenesin-ketamine (IGK group) o...
Sanz MG, Sellon DC, Cary JA, Hines MT, Farnsworth KD.To compare the analgesic efficacy of administration of butorphanol tartrate, phenylbutazone, or both drugs in combination in colts undergoing routine castration. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 36 client-owned colts. Methods: Horses received treatment with butorphanol alone (0.05 mg/kg [0.023 mg/lb], IM, prior to surgery and then q 4 h for 24 hours), phenylbutazone alone (4.4 mg/kg [2.0 mg/lb], IV, prior to surgery and then 2.2 mg/kg [1.0 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h for 3 days), or butorphanol and phenylbutazone at the aforementioned dosages (12 horses/group). For single-drug-tr...
Foley GL, Valentine BA, Kincaid AL.In a retrospective study, cutaneous melanocytic tumors from 18 horses, less than 2 years old, were examined histopathologically and clinical follow-up requested. Melanocytomas (benign melanomas) occurred in a variety of breeds and in horses of varied coat color. The age of the horses at the time of biopsy ranged from 3 weeks old to 2 years old. Four melanocytomas were congenital, 11 melanocytomas were acquired by 1 year of age, and three were acquired prior to 2 years of age. Of the 18 horses, five were male, and 13 were female. All tumors were solitary and located on the legs or trunk; none w...
Dean PW, Nelson JK, Schumacher J.Cartilage retention strengths of laryngoplasty prostheses were compared in larynges of 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old horses, using doubled polyester and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses. Bilateral laryngoplasties were performed on each of 15 (seven 2-year-old, two 3-year-old, and six 4-year-old) larynges, which were collected at an abbatoir. Prostheses were secured to a mechanical testing machine, and tension causing arytenoid cartilage abduction was applied, until total failure of the cartilage or prosthesis resulted. Tension caused cricoid cartilage failure in 1 specimen, and muscular pr...
Sullins KE, Stashak TS, Mero KN.In 6 horses, 2 types of ischemic lesions were created in small intestinal segments by selective ligation of vessels and intestinal wall for 1, 2, or 3 hours. After confirming the ischemia by IV injection of sodium fluorescein, the ligatures were released. Five minutes later, the fluorescent patterns were documented photographically. Observed patterns ranged from normal (identical to that observed in unaffected bowel) to a patchy distribution of non-fluorescence (indicating incomplete perfusion). None of the experimental segments was normal when reevaluated 1 month later. The typical appearance...
Freeman DE, Orsini PG, Ross MW, Madison JB.A large frontonasal bone flap was created to treat diseases of the paranasal sinuses in 14 horses. The bone flap was made as wide as possible within the confines of the nasolacrimal duct so the floor of the frontal sinus and the dorsal and ventral conchae could be opened. These openings exposed the nasal passages, maxillary sinuses, and ventral conchal sinus thereby facilitating removal of diffuse and localized lesions from these sites. Diseases treated were ethmoid hematomas (4 horses), sinus cysts (5 horses), cryptococcal granuloma, osteoma, hemangiosarcoma, pus in the ventral conchal sinus,...
Tulleners E, Stick JA, Leitch M, Trumble TN, Wilkerson JP.To determine whether epiglottic augmentation, in conjunction with more traditional surgical methods, would be useful in the treatment of dorsal displacement of the soft palate in racehorses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 40 Thoroughbred and 19 Standardbred racehorses. Methods: Polytetrafluoroethylene paste was injected submucosally on the lingual epiglottic surface of each horse. In addition, sternothyrohyoideus myectomy or sternothyroideus tenectomy and staphylectomy were performed in most horses. Results: Racing performance was improved after surgery in 29 of 40 (73%) Thoroughbreds ...
Carvalho JRG, Trindade PHE, Conde G, Antonioli ML, Funnicelli MIG, Dias PP, Canola PA, Chinelatto MA, Ferraz GC.Facial-expression-based analysis has been widely applied as a pain coding system in horses. Herein, we aimed to identify pain in horses undergoing subcutaneously polylactide-based polymer implantation. The sham group was submitted only to surgical incision. The horses were filmed before and 24 and 48 h after implantation. Five statistical methods for evaluating their facial expressions (FEs) were tested. Primarily, three levels of scores (0, 1, and 2) were applied to the seven FEs (ear movements, eyebrow tension, orbicularis tension, dilated nostrils, eye opening, muzzle tension, and masticato...
Ribonnet C, Palmers K, Saegerman C, Vanderperren K, van Galen G.Lung ultrasound (LUS) is poorly evaluated in horses, especially perioperatively. Objective: (1) Describe LUS findings in healthy horses before and after general anesthesia (GA), (2) evaluate if GA induces ultrasonographic changes in healthy horses, (3) suggest a LUS scoring system, (4) identify horse variables that are associated to LUS changes after anesthesia. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adult horses undergoing elective surgery. Methods: Prospective hypothesis-driven observational study. LUS findings were recorded before anesthesia, 5 minutes in recovery, 15 minutes, 2H, 3H, 4H, 6H, and ...
Southwood LL, Kawcak CE, Trotter GW, Stashak TS, Frisbie DD.To report the history, clinical findings, and outcome of horses with idiopathic focal eosinophilic enteritis associated with acute small intestinal obstruction. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Six horses with idiopathic focal eosinophilic enteritis. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of horses with idiopathic focal eosinophilic enteritis, with acute abdominal pain and small intestinal obstruction, associated with a focal region of eosinophilic enteritis of unknown cause. Information retrieved from the medical records included signalment, physical examination, laboratory fi...
Iglesias-García M, Rodríguez Hurtado I, Ortiz-Díez G, De la Calle Del Barrio J, Fernández Pérez C, Gómez Lucas R.The extrinsic and intrinsic characteristics of an equine population may influence the onset of gastrointestinal lesions and affect the survival rate of patients. The equine population in Spain has been the focus of a small number of studies, none of which have involved more than one surgical center. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to analyze the survival rate, identify the variables that influenced death, and generate multivariate models using clinical variables. Data were collected from the clinical records of two surgical referral centers in the same region, and a total of 566 h...
Davis EW.The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using laparoscopy to remove cryptorchid testes from standing horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Eleven client-owned horses ranging in age from 4 months to 2 years. Methods: Abdominal insufflation was initiated and maintained using a 20 F insufflation tube, attached via a stopcock, to the low pressure regulator on a standard carbon dioxide pressure tank. After trocar and laparoscope placement in the ipsilateral flank the testes were identified. Local anesthesia of the structures to be manipulated was administered t...
