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.
Carmalt JL, Scansen BA.Current treatment of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) requires daily oral medication. Minimally invasive surgical palliation of this condition is appealing as a single treatment to alleviate the clinical signs of disease, dramatically improving the welfare of the horse. Objective: To develop a surgical approach to the equine pituitary gland, for subsequent treatment of PPID. Methods: A cadaver study to develop methodology and a terminal procedure under anaesthesia in the most promising techniques. Methods: Four surgical approaches to the pituitary gland were investigated in ...
Müller TM, Hopster K, Bienert-Zeit A, Rohn K, Kästner SBR.Standing surgery, especially dental procedures, are commonly performed in horses. This leads to an increasing demand for reliable sedation protocols. Therefore, it was the purpose of this study to investigate the influence of butorphanol, midazolam or ketamine on romifidine based sedation in horses during cheek tooth removal. Methods: Forty horses presented for tooth extraction were divided in four groups using matched pair randomization. Group R was sedated with romifidine (bolus 0.03 mg/kg, followed by a constant rate infusion (CRI) 0.05 mg/kg/h) and group RB with romifidine (same dose) an...
Nixon AJ, Sparks HD, Begum L, McDonough S, Scimeca MS, Moran N, Matthews GL.Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) using a collagen scaffold (matrix-induced ACI; MACI) is a next-generation approach to traditional ACI that provides the benefit of autologous cells and guided tissue regeneration using a biocompatible collagen scaffold. The MACI implant also has inherent advantages including surgical implantation via arthroscopy or miniarthrotomy, the elimination of periosteal harvest, and the use of tissue adhesive in lieu of sutures. This study evaluated the efficacy of the MACI implant in an equine full-thickness cartilage defect model at 1 year. Methods: Autologous...
Wolyncewicz GEL, Palmer CS, Jowett HE, Hutson JM, King SK, Teague WJ.Horse-related injuries account for one quarter of all paediatric sports fatalities. It is not known whether the pattern of injury spectrum and severity differ between children injured whilst mounted, compared with those injured unmounted around horses. We aimed to identify any distinctions between the demographic features, spectrum and severity of injuries for mounted versus unmounted patients. Methods: Trauma registry data were reviewed for 505 consecutive paediatric patients (aged<16years) admitted to a large paediatric trauma centre with horse-related injuries over a 16-year period. Patient...
Easley JT, McGilvray KC, Hendrickson DA, Bruemmer J, Hackett ES.To determine the temperature of a vessel sealer and divider device during unilateral paralumbar laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing, sedated mares. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Fifteen healthy research mares. Methods: Healthy mares with normal ovarian palpation and ultrasonographic appearance were enrolled. Horses were restrained in standing stocks and sedated. A right or left paralumbar ovariectomy was performed with a laparoscopic portal and 2 instrument portals. Ovaries were excised with traumatic forceps and a blunt tip vessel sealer and divider. Temperatures of the vessel sealer ...
Hilbert M, Csadek I, Auer U, Hilbert F.In the past, the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes was mainly associated with conjugative plasmids or transposons, whereas transduction by bacteriophages was thought to be a rare event. In order to analyze the likelihood of transduction of antimicrobial resistance in the field of clinical veterinary medicine, we isolated phages from from a surgery suite of an equine clinic. In a pilot study, the surgery suite of a horse clinic was sampled directly after surgery and subsequently sampled after cleaning and disinfection following a sampling plan based on hygiene, surgery, and...
Nijdam P, Elmas C, Fugazzola MC.A 1-month-old Miniature Shetland colt was presented to the Burg Müggenhausen Equine Clinic. Primary complaints were regurgitation of milk, bilateral white nasal discharge, and weakness. Physical examination, endoscopy of the esophagus, and contrast radiography led to the diagnosis of an esophageal stricture and aspiration pneumonia. Surgical treatment by means of an esophagomyotomy was performed. The foal improved only temporarily and multiple sessions of endoscopic balloon dilation of the esophagus were performed afterwards. 12 months after the final treatment the foal was healthy and had no...
Marcatili M, Voss SJ, Pollock PJ.To describe a surgical technique for thyroidectomy in horses with thyroid neoplasia under standing sedation and local anesthesia. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Client-owned horses (n = 10). Methods: Medical records of horses with a history of thyroid enlargement were included in the study if thyroid gland enlargement was treated surgically via hemi- or bilateral thyroidectomy, with the horse standing and sedated. Data derived from follow-up clinical examination, performance level, recurrence, and cosmetic outcome were evaluated. Results: Thyroid enlargement was unilateral in 8 and...
Estell K.Periocular neoplasia is common in horses. Treatment of the periocular skin and ocular adnexal structures can be technically challenging. Common neoplastic conditions, a treatment algorithm, surgical principles, and therapeutic modalities are reviewed. Regardless of the type of neoplasia found or the treatment that is applied, success is most likely when the neoplastic tumor is small.
Townsend WM.Examination of the lens is critical, particularly when evaluating horses with visual impairment or performing prepurchase examinations. To adequately evaluate the lens, the pupil must be pharmacologically dilated. A cataract is any lens opacity. The size, density, and position of a cataract determine the impact on vision. Cataracts may be congenital or inherited or occur secondary to trauma or equine recurrent uveitis. Surgical removal is the only treatment option for vision impairing cataracts, but careful selection of surgical candidates is critical for successful outcomes.
Scherrer NM, Lassaline M, Engiles J.To determine the characteristics of and prognosis for ocular and periocular hemangiosarcoma in horses. Methods: Six horses treated for ocular or periocular hemangiosarcoma. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from 2007 to 2015 was performed to identify horses with a histologic diagnosis of ocular or periocular hemangiosarcoma. Signalment (age, sex, breed), duration of clinical signs, prior treatment, tumor size and location, medical and surgical treatment including postoperative chemotherapy, follow-up time, and outcome were obtained from medical records. Histopathology was revi...
Horbal A, Reardon RJM, Liuti T, Dixon PM.An ex-vivo study was performed on vertically mounted equine maxillary cheek teeth that had caries of 30 infundibulae, using high and low speed contra-angle dental drills and Hedstrom files to debride infundibular food debris and carious dental tissues. This technique effectively debrided 27/30 infundibulae with a mean depth of 19mm (range 9.4-34.3mm) as assessed by computed tomographic (CT) imaging. The debrided infundibulae were treated with sodium hypochlorite, EDTA and a bonding agent, and then then filled in layers with endodontic restoration materials. Further CT imaging and direct examin...
Shearer TR, Kinsley MA, Pease AP, Patterson JS.The purpose of this study was to develop a minimally invasive approach to equine cervical articular facet joints for application of an ND:YAG LASER and to evaluate the effects of the laser fiber on the surrounding tissue. Under general anesthesia, an ND:YAG LASER was used to apply 2000 J of energy to 5 cervical articular facet joints in 3 horses (15 joints total). Horses were euthanized and the cervical facets and spinal cords were examined grossly and histologically. Gross pathology of the articular facets revealed evidence of articular cartilage charring and diffuse roughening of the surface...
Sassot LN, Ragle CA, Farnsworth KD, Lund CM.The major objective of this study was to describe the use of morcellation for standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in 30 client-owned horses. A second objective was to describe a laparoscopic-assisted standing scrotal technique for removal of a descended testis in unilateral cryptorchids. Morcellation for extraction of abdominal testes is effective, efficient, and well-tolerated. Morcellation enabled safe and straightforward extraction of testes from the abdomen through an approximately 13- to 20-mm incision using a 2-portal technique. No incisional or morcellator-related complications occu...
Romagnoli N, Zannoni A, Bernardini C, Gobbetti T, Bombardi C, Rambaldi AM, Morini M, Dondi F, Rinnovati R, Lambertini C, Spadari A.Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor for trypsin and mast cell tryptase; it is highly expressed at the intestinal level with multiple functions, such as epithelial permeability and intestinal motility. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution and expression of proteinase-activated receptor 2 in the small intestine during herniation through epiploic foramen. In this prospective clinical study, eight horses admitted for colic and which underwent exploratory laparotomy were considered. During surgery, the jejunum or the ileum was sampled by enterectom...
Nelson BB, King MR, Frisbie DD.Joint disease and osteoarthritis are common problems in the horse and numerous experimental studies have been developed to determine the safety and efficacy of new therapies. Synovitis, a critical component of joint disease, has been experimentally induced using recombinant interleukin-1 beta (reIL-1β) to investigate new joint therapies in a controlled environment, although the use of reIL-1β has not been reported in the equine tarsocrural joint. A common consequence of performing controlled experiments is that articular tissue collection typically requires general anesthesia or euthanasia. ...
Aoki M, Wakuno A, Kushiro A, Mae N, Kakizaki M, Nagata SI, Ohta M.Anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) technique using propofol-guaifenesin-medetomidine (PGM) and alfaxalone-guaifenesin-medetomidine (AGM) were preliminarily evaluated in Thoroughbred horses undergoing castration. Twelve male Thoroughbred horses were assigned randomly into two groups. After premedication with intravenous (IV) administrations of medetomidine (5.0 µg/kg) and butorphanol (0.02 mg/kg), anesthesia was induced with guaifenesin (10 mg/kg IV), followed by either propofol (2.0 mg/kg IV) (group PGM: n=6) or alfaxalone (1.0 mg/kg IV) (group AGM...
Di Salvo A, Giorgi M, Nannarone S, Lee HK, Corsalini J, Della Rocca G.NSAIDs are often used in horses with colic syndrome during the postoperative period, due to their ability to contrast endotoxemia and to promote an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. As the pharmacokinetics of a drug are often modified in unhealthy animals compared to healthy subjects, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of meloxicam after i.v. administration in horses undergoing laparotomy for colic syndrome. Eight horses received 0.6 mg/kg of meloxicam i.v. towards the end of surgery. Blood samples were taken at scheduled time points during the following 2...
Brunsting JY, Pille FJ, Oosterlinck M, Haspeslagh M, Wilderjans HC.To determine the incidence of infection and associated risk factors, after elective arthroscopy. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Horses (n=1079) undergoing elective arthroscopy. Methods: Medical records of all horses that underwent elective arthroscopy between 2006 and 2013 were reviewed. Age, gender, breed, surgeon, number of joints operated, total anesthetic time, perioperative antimicrobial administration, and the presence and size of osteochondral fragments/subchondral lesions were recorded. For each operated joint, the development of postoperative infection (surgical site infe...
Mardassi A, Turki S, Mbarek H, Hachicha A, Chebbi G, Benzarti S, Abouda M.Combat-related facial injuries involve various lesions of the mouth, the eye sockets and the facial bones. The goal of this study is to precise the particularities of these affections and their therapeutic management. Methods: A retrospective study was performed about 56 cases of combat-related facial injuries over a period of 5 years (2010 - 2014). Results: Our study included 56 male patients with an average age of 29 years (20-37). The trauma occurred during a real security intervention in all the cases. It was isolated in 18 cases and associated to other lesions in 38 cases. Clinical examin...
Pezzanite LM, Hackett ES.To compare survival and complications in horses undergoing large colon resection with either sutured end-to-end or stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Twenty-six client-owned horses with gastrointestinal disease. Methods: Retrospective data were retrieved from the medical records of 26 horses undergoing colectomy, including 14 horses with sutured end-to-end and 12 horses with stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses, between 2003 and 2016. Records were evaluated for signalment, medical and surgical treatments, and survival to hospital disch...
Rosanowski SM, MacEoin F, Graham RJTY, Riggs CM.Complications following open standing castration (OSC) in Thoroughbred racehorses are well recognised but variation in their prevalence and severity between populations is not well documented. Objective: To describe the prevalence and severity of complications in the 30 days following OSC. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of veterinary clinical records relating to horses that underwent OSC between July 2007 and July 2012. Methods: Complications were graded on a severity score from N, no complications, to C3, severe complications. Additional data were accessed for each horse including age,...
Major DS, Duff AH, Cohen ND, Hardy J.To compare laparoscopic single-layer versus double-layer closure of experimental, full-thickness incisions in adult equine urinary bladders using unidirectional and bidirectional barbed suture. Methods: Experimental, ex vivo, surgical study. Methods: Thirty adult equine cadaver urinary bladders. Methods: Bladders were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6): intact controls, bladders sutured with unidirectional or bidirectional barbed suture in a single-layer closure, and bladders sutured with unidirectional or bidirectional barbed suture in a double-layer closure. A 5-cm apical incision wa...
McMullen RJ, Fischer BM.Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is characterized by recurrent bouts of inflammation interrupted by periods of quiescence that vary in duration. There is little consensus on the clinical manifestations, the underlying causes, or the management. The 3 commonly recognized syndromes of ERU (classic, insidious, and posterior) do not accurately separate the clinical manifestations of disease into distinct categories. An accurate diagnosis and early intervention are essential to minimizing the effects of disease and preserving vision. There are multiple medical and surgical options for controlling ERU...
Allison A, Robinson R, Jolliffe C, Taylor PM.There are limited investigations comparing ketamine to a ketamine-midazolam co-induction. Objective: To compare quality and safety of general anaesthesia induced using ketamine alone with anaesthesia co-induced using ketamine and midazolam. Methods: Randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled trial. Methods: After i.v. detomidine (20 μg/kg) thirty-eight ponies undergoing field castration received either 0.06 mg/kg (0.6 mL/50 kg) midazolam (group M) or 0.6 mL/50 kg placebo (group P) with 2.2 mg/kg ketamine i.v. for anaesthetic induction. Quality of anaesthetic induction, endotracheal intuba...
Santangelo B, Robin A, Simpson K, Potier J, Guichardant M, Portier K.Xenon, due to its interesting anesthetic properties, could improve the quality of anesthesia protocols in horses despite its high price. This study aimed to modify and test an anesthesia machine capable of delivering xenon to a horse. Methods: An equine anesthesia machine (Tafonius, Vetronic Services Ltd., UK) was modified by including a T-connector in the valve block to introduce xenon, so that the xenon was pushed into the machine cylinder by the expired gases. A xenon analyzer was connected to the expiratory limb of the patient circuit. The operation of the machine was modeled and experimen...
Nóbrega FS, Selim MB, Arana-Chavez VE, Correa L, Ferreira MP, Zoppa ALV.OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of castor oil polyurethane polymer with calcium carbonate for use in a unicortical ostectomy on the dorsal surface of the third metacarpal bone of horses. ANIMALS 6 adult horses. PROCEDURES A unicortical ostectomy was created on the dorsal surface of both third metacarpal bones of each horse. Castor bean (Ricinus communis) oil polyurethane polymer with calcium carbonate was implanted into the ostectomy on 1 limb, and the ostectomy of the contralateral limb was left unfilled and served as a control sample. Ostectomy sites were evaluated histologically 120 days...
Adams MK, Lescun TB, Mechem AS, Johnson WR, Griffin TH, Main RP.OBJECTIVE To compare heat generation and mechanical bone damage for tapered and cylindrical transfixation pins during drilling, tapping, and pin insertion in equine third metacarpal bones. SAMPLE 16 pairs of cadaveric equine third metacarpal bones. PROCEDURES For cylindrical pin insertion, a 6.2-mm hole was drilled and tapped with a cylindrical tap, and then a standard 6.3-mm pin was inserted. For tapered pin insertion, a 6.0-mm hole was drilled, reamed with a tapered reamer, and tapped with a tapered tap, and then a 6.3-mm tapered pin was inserted. Paired t tests and 1-way ANOVAs were used to...
Reiners JK, Rossdeutscher W, Hopster K, Kästner SBR.The use of pulse oximetry in horses is limited due to inadequate readings with conventional transmission sensor probes. Objective: The objectives of this study were to 1) develop an improved sensor design for horses to be used at an appropriate anatomical site, and 2) evaluate this design in an experimental study. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: A new sensor design for reflectance pulse oximetry at the buccal mucosa was developed. A conventional Nonin 2000SL sensor for transmission pulse oximetry was included into this design. Three different prototypes (N1, N2a, N2b) were constructed an...
Caston S, McClure S, Beug J, Kersh K, Reinertson E, Wang C.While surgical arthrodesis is the treatment of choice for osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, some clients are unable to pursue surgery due to costs. A more economical technique was sought using intra-articular ethyl alcohol injections to facilitate ankylosis. Objective: To describe the technique and outcome of intra-articular ethyl alcohol injections for facilitated ankylosis of proximal interphalangeal joints with osteoarthritis. Methods: As a retrospective case series, the medical records (2006-2012) of clinical cases diagnosed with proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarth...
Hall LW, Taylor PM.One hundred anaesthetics were administered in a clinical trial to 95 equine patients, ranging in age from nine months to 19 years and in weight from 140 to 1270 kg, undergoing a variety of surgical procedures. Acepromazine maleate premedication (0.01 to 0.03 mg per kg intramuscularly) was given to seven animals, the remainder were not premedicated. Xylazine (1.1 mg per kg) was injected intravenously over a two minute period and after a pause of two minutes ketamine (2.2 mg per kg) was injected rapidly by the same route. For 30 procedures no other anaesthetic was given but in 59 cases anaesthes...
Nixon AJ.Arthroscopic examination of the hip joint was performed in mature and juvenile horses, using a lateral approach and standard or long instruments depending on body weight. Nine hip joints were examined in three cadavers and four anesthetized horses. The lateral, cranial, and caudal regions of the femoral head and acetabulum were accessible, and, after distraction of the limb, the ligament of the head of the femur and the acetabular notch were also visible. In small horses, the medial regions of the hip joint were visible but were inaccessible in larger horses. Iatrogenic injury to the sciatic n...
Witte TH, Mohammed HO, Radcliffe CH, Hackett RP, Ducharme NG.The success of combined prosthetic laryngoplasty with ipsilateral ventriculocordectomy (LPVC) has not been compared to that of partial arytenoidectomy (PA) in a clinical population. Objective: In Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses: (1) earnings after LPVC are unaffected by the severity of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) (laryngeal grade III vs. grade IV); (2) LPVC and PA yield similar results in the treatment of grade III RLN; (3) performance outcome following PA is independent of diagnosis (RLN vs. unilateral arytenoid chondritis [UAC]); and (4) neither LPVC nor PA returns horses to the level ...
Gygax D, Lischer C, Auer JA.To compare the precision of computer-assisted surgery with a conventional technique (CV) using a special guiding device for screw insertion into the distal sesamoid bone in horses. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric forelimb specimens. Methods: Insertion of a 3.5 mm cortex screw in lag fashion along the longitudinal axis of intact (non-fractured) distal sesamoid bones was evaluated in 2 groups (8 limbs each): CV and computer-assisted surgery (CAS). For CV, the screw was inserted using a special guiding device and fluoroscopy, whereas for CAS, the screw was inserted using ...
Cable CS, Fubini SL, Erb HN, Hakes JE.The case records of 119 young horses (all less than age one year) that underwent an exploratory celiotomy during a 17 year period were examined to determine the surgical findings, short- and long-term outcome, and prevalence of small intestinal disease compared to previous reports in the mature horse. Physical and laboratory values were compared for long-term survivors vs. nonsurvivors and the frequency of post operative intra-abdominal adhesions was determined. The most common cause for exploratory celiotomy was small intestinal strangulation, followed by enteritis and uroperitoneum. Six hors...
Hassel DM, Langer DL, Snyder JR, Drake CM, Goodell ML, Wyle A.To identify breed, age, sex, physical findings, history, and outcome of treatment in horses and other equids with enterolithiasis. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 900 equids with enterolithiasis. Methods: Medical records from equids with enterolithiasis admitted between 1973 and 1996 were reviewed. Data on signalment, history, physical examination and clinicopathologic findings, surgical findings, and outcome were compiled from records and from telephone interviews with owners. Sex and breed predilections were determined by comparison of the study population with the general hospital po...
Sullivan EK, Klein LV, Richardson DW, Ross MW, Orsini JA, Nunamaker DM.To describe the pool-raft recovery system protocol and to evaluate the clinical outcome in horses that underwent recovery from general anesthesia using this system. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 393 horses that underwent recovery from general anesthesia in the pool-raft system. Methods: Anesthetic records were examined from horses recovered from anesthesia in the pool-raft system between January 1984 and December 2000. Complete medical records of horses were examined when available. Information regarding the anesthetic and recovery period was recorded. Horses first recovered from gene...
King DS, Tulleners E, Martin BB, Parente EJ, Boston R.To describe the clinical findings in 52 racehorses with axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (ADAF) and to report outcome in 33 of these horses after either rest or transendoscopic laser excision of aryepiglottic fold tissue. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Racehorses admitted for high-speed treadmill (HST) evaluation of poor performance. Methods: Medical records and videotapes of resting and exercising videoendoscopic examinations were reviewed. Racing performance records and owner or trainer interviews, at least 1 year after HST examination, were used to compare results after ei...
Mansour C, Chaaya R, Sredensek J, Mocci R, Santangelo B, Allaouchiche B, Bonnet-Garin JM, Boselli E, Junot SA.To compare the sublingual microcirculation between healthy horses anesthetized for elective procedures and horses with colic anesthetized for abdominal surgery and to determine the effect of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) on the microcirculation. Methods: 9 horses in the elective group and 8 horses in the colic group. Methods: Sublingual microcirculation was assessed with sidestream dark field video microscopy. Videos were captured at 3 time points during anesthesia. Recorded microvasculature parameters were De Backer score (DBS), total density of perfused vessels (PVD) and small vessels (...
Ahern BJ, Showalter BL, Elliott DM, Richardson DW, Getman LM.To compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of a 4.5 mm narrow locking compression plate (PIP-LCP) with 2 abaxially located transarticular screws and a 4.5 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) with 2 abaxially located transarticular screws using equine pasterns. Methods: Experimental. Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods for stabilizing adult equine forelimb PIP joints. Methods: Adult equine forelimbs (n = 8 pairs). Methods: Each pair of PIP joints were randomly instrumented with either a PIP-LCP or LC-DCP plate axially and 2 parasagitally positioned 5.5 mm ...
Krueger CR, Ruple-Czerniak A, Hackett ES.In horses undergoing celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal pain, identification of variables correlating with lesion severity and location, and survival provide veterinarians and owners with information that aids in making informed decisions regarding appropriate treatment. Muscle enzyme activity is often increased in horses undergoing celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal pain and it is not known if muscle enzyme activity increase is specific to lesion type or impacts prognosis for survival. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of pre-operative increase in muscle enzyme ...
Tóth F, Schumacher J, Schramme M, Holder T, Adair HS, Donnell RL.To describe pathologic changes in the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (DBLPN) of horses determined to be lame because of proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD), and to report the outcome after treatment by excision of a segment of the horses' DBLPN. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Adult horses (n=16). Methods: Horses determined to be lame on one or both pelvic limbs because of PSD were treated by excision of a segment of the DBLPN, and 30 nerves were examined histologically. Owners were contacted to obtain information about the horses >or=6 months after surgery. Results: H...
Colgan SA, Hecker AT, Kirker-Head CA, Hayes WC.To determine risk of failure of the Synthes 4.5-mm cannulated screw system instrumentation in equine bone and to compare its application with the Synthes 4.5-mm standard cortex screw system. Methods: The maximum insertion torque of the cannulated and standard cortex screw systems were compared with the ultimate torsional strengths of the equipment. Pullout strength and ultimate tensile load of cannulated and standard cortex screws were also determined. Methods: Paired equine cadaver third metacarpal and third carpal bones. Methods: Maximum insertion torque and ultimate torsional strengths were...
Snyder JR, Pascoe JR, Olander HJ, Hinds DM, Young R, Tyler WS.Ten horses were euthanatized before, during, or after surgery to correct severe volvulus of the large colon. At surgery, the colonic serosa changed from blue-gray, blue or purple toward a more normal pink in seven horses after the volvulus was corrected. The mucosa consistently remained black or dark red. Results of postmortem colonic microangiography revealed perfusion of the serosa and the circular and longitudinal muscle layers, but mucosal perfusion was limited by thrombosis in the muscularis mucosae and submucosa. There was evidence of thrombosis of the mesenteric colic vessels in six hor...
Scheurer L, Bachofen C, Herteman N, Hilbe M, Wolfer N, Schoster A.This case series describes three cases of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) diagnosed at the Clinic for Equine Internal Medicine at the University of Zurich between 2012 and 2017. Current information on etiology and treatment options are presented. Two horses showed mild signs of chronic lower respiratory tract disease and one horse was presented with acute signs of disease including recurrent fever spikes and tachypnea. Diagnosis was achieved by physical examination, radiographic findings, and PCR testing for equine herpesviruses (EHV) of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid or lung...
Vernemmen I, De Clercq D, Decloedt A, Schauvliege S, Taeymans Y, De Wolf D, van Loon G.This report describes a rare case of an aorto-cardiac fistula in a six-year-old French Warmblood mare presented with atrial fibrillation, decreased performance, ventral oedema, bounding arterial pulsation and pathological jugular venous pulse. A 2.7-cm-diameter fistula connected the right aortic sinus of Valsalva to the right atrium. Atrial fibrillation was likely due to volume overload of the right heart due to left-to-right shunting. The horse was treated by percutaneous transcatheter closure of the fistula delivered under general anaesthesia using a transarterial approach. The operation was...
Kos VK, Kramaric P, Brloznik M.The objective of this prospective case-control study of 125 horses with gastrointestinal tract-induced colic was to determine whether heart rate (HR) and packed cell volume (PCV) can predict surgical medical treatment and its short-term survival (time of discharge of the patient). Sixty-four horses were treated medically and 61 surgically (29 small intestinal and 32 large intestinal cases). At admission, both PCV and HR were higher in horses treated surgically than in horses treated medically; however, with longer duration of colic before presentation, the PCV was higher in the small intestin...
Bertone AL, Davis DM, Cox HU, Kamerling SS, Roberts ED, Caprile KA, Gossett KA.To evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and histologic effects of 2 methods of treatment for infectious arthritis in horses, Staphylococcus aureus (3.4 to 3.9 x 10(3) colony-forming units) was inoculated into the tarsocrural joints of 8 horses on day 0. Each horse was treated with phenylbutazone (2 g, PO, q 24 h) and gentamicin sulfate (2.2 mg/kg of body weight, IV, q 8 h) for 14 days. On day 2, general anesthesia was induced, and each horse had 1 tarsocrural joint treated by arthrotomy, with removal of accessible fibrin and lavage with 3 L of sterile balanced electrolyte solution. An indwelling...
Gerding JC, Gilger BC, Montgomery SA, Clode AB.A 7-year-old, 153.0-kg American Miniature mare presented for evaluation of keratoconjunctivitis of the right eye (OD). A superior palpebral conjunctival mass and stromal keratitis were diagnosed. The incisional biopsy diagnosis was a presumptive corneal hemangiosarcoma. Transpalpebral enucleation was performed, and histopathologic evaluation confirmed angiosarcoma of the conjunctiva, cornea, and extraocular muscles. The horse developed progressive epistaxis and orbital swelling following surgery. A systemic workup was performed 3 months after enucleation, revealing regrowth within the orbit an...
Mariën T, Adriaenssen A, Hoeck FV, Segers L.To report a technique for laparoscopic ablation of the renosplenic space in standing horses. Methods: Development of a technique to perform laparoscopic renosplenic space ablation in standing horses. Methods: Five healthy horses, aged 3 to 13 years, weighing 380 to 520 kg. Methods: Horses were restrained in standing stocks and sedated with detomidine (0.01 mg/kg intravenously [IV]) and butorphanol (0.01 mg/kg IV). Portal sites in the left paralumbar fossa were infiltrated with 2% mepivacaine. A laparoscopic portal was placed between the 17th and the 18th ribs. Two instrument portals were locat...
Hawthorn A, Reardon R, O'Meara B, James F, Bladon B.The overall rate of sepsis following endoscopic surgery of synovial structures has not previously been documented. Clinical observation has led to the conjecture that tendon sheaths, in particular the carpal flexor tendon sheath, are more prone to post operative synovial sepsis than other synovial structures. Objective: To document and investigate the rate of post operative synovial sepsis following elective endoscopic surgery. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: The medical records of horses that underwent arthroscopy, tenoscopy or bursoscopy at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery be...
Kiper ML, Wrigley R, Traub-Dargatz J, Bennett D.Seven horses with metallic foreign bodies in the mouth or pharynx were examined at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1983 to 1989. The horses had variable clinical signs, such as purulent nasal discharge, swelling of the throatlatch area, and dyspnea. Most of the horses had clinical signs for more than 2 weeks, and had no or only temporary improvement with conservative medical treatment (antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The definitive diagnostic test in all of the cases was radiography, which also aided in the plan for surgical removal of the fo...
Johnson NL, Galuppo LD, Stover SM, Taylor KT.To compare screw insertion variables and pullout mechanical properties between AO 6.5-mm cancellous and 7.3-mm cannulated bone screws in foal femoral bone. Methods: A paired, in vitro mechanical study. Methods: Seven pairs of femora from immature (1-7 months) foals. Methods: The 6.5 cancellous and 7.3-mm cannulated screws were inserted at standardized proximal and distal metaphyseal, and mid-diaphyseal locations. Insertion torque, force, and time to drill, tap (6.5-mm cancellous), guide wire insertion (7.3-mm cannulated), and screw insertion were measured. Screw pullout properties (yield and f...
Muňoz J, Bussy C.To report a standing hand-assisted laparoscopic technique for closure of the nephrosplenic space (NS), and short-term outcome in horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 12) aged 5-14 years. Methods: Medical records (2007-2010) of horses treated for left dorsal displacement of the large colon (LDDLC) using a hand-assisted laparoscopic correction technique with closure of the NS in the same surgical procedure were reviewed. A modified grid laparotomy in the left paralumbar fossa was used with manual correction of LDDLC, after which the NS was closed with a laparoscopic technique. Foll...
Nannarone S, Cenani A, Gialletti R, Pepe M.To compare, in horses undergoing laparotomy for colic, the effects of administering or not administering a loading intravenous (IV) bolus of lidocaine prior to its constant rate infusion (CRI). Effects investigated during isoflurane anaesthesia were end-tidal isoflurane concentration (Fe'ISO), cardiovascular function, anaesthetic stability and the quality of recovery. Methods: Prospective, randomized clinical study. Methods: Thirty-six client-owned horses. Methods: Horses were assigned randomly to receive lidocaine as a CRI (50 μg kg(-1) minute(-1) ) either preceded (LB) or not preceded (L...
Baxter GM, Hunt RJ, Tyler DE, Parks AH, Jackman BR.Hand sutured end-to-end (EE) and stapled side-to-side (SS) small intestinal anastomoses were performed in 10 healthy adult horses. In five SS anastomoses, staple lines on the blind ends of the jejunum were inverted (SSI) and in five they were not (SSNI). Five EE anastomoses were sutured with polydioxanone and five were sutured with polyglyconate. All horses were euthanatized on day 30. Intra-abdominal adhesions were graded (0-4), and stomal areas were calculated from contrast radiographs made with the bowel distended. Histopathology scores for the anastomoses were based on the degree of inflam...
Sedrish SA, McClure JR, Pinto C, Oliver J, Burba DJ.A 12-year-old Morgan mare was examined because of stallion-like behavior of 45 days' duration. Palpation per rectum and transrectal ultrasonographic examination revealed a large left ovary with multiple cystic areas and crepitus. A granulosa-theca cell tumor was suspected. During hospitalization for further evaluation of the affected ovary, the mare developed signs of abdominal pain. Exploratory surgery revealed a large left ovary, which was black with a necrotic and friable surface, and a 720 degrees clock-wise torsion of the ovarian pedicle. Torsion was corrected, and oophorectomy was perfor...
Schambourg MM, Marcoux M.To assess a laparoscopic technique for equine intestinal biopsy. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Seven adult horses. Methods: Food but not water was withheld for 36 hours before laparoscopy. In 3 horses (group A) standing, right laparoscopic access to different small intestinal segments was compared with ventral median celiotomy access. Inaccessible segments were identified at necropsy. In 4 horses (group B), the feasibility of obtaining full-thickness duodenal and cecal biopsies and any associated morbidity were evaluated. Biopsy specimens were collected during standing right laparoscop...
Bettiol N, Dixon PM.Cheek teeth (CT) diastemata are a major equine dental disorder that can be treated by mechanically widening the diastemata. There is limited anatomical knowledge of the spatial relationships of the individual pulps to the adjacent interproximal surfaces; on the risks of exposing the 6th pulp horn when performing the clinically unproven 'bit seating' procedure on Triadan 06s. Objective: To describe the anatomical relationships between the occlusal and interproximal surfaces of CT and the adjacent pulp horns; and between the 6th pulp horn and the occlusal and rostral surfaces of Triadan 06s. Met...
