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.
Morgan RA, Raftery AG, Cripps P, Senior JM, McGowan CM.The prevalence and nature of arrhythmias in horses following general anaesthesia and surgery is poorly documented. It has been proposed that horses undergoing emergency surgery for gastrointestinal disorders may be at particular risk of developing arrhythmias. Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence and nature of arrhythmias in horses following anaesthesia in a clinical setting and to establish if there was a difference in the prevalence of arrhythmias between horses with and without gastrointestinal disease undergoing surgery. Our secondary objective was to assess selected avail...
Marais HJ, Page PC.Equine sarcoid has been diagnosed in endangered Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) in at least two game reserves in South Africa, with prevalence as high as 53% in Bontebok National Park. Seven Cape mountain zebras with sarcoids were treated with either surgical excision, 5-fluorouracil, allogenous vaccine, or a combination of 5-fluorouracil and allogenous vaccine. One of the two sarcoids on one of the 5-fluorouracil-treated zebras was left untreated. The microscopic features of the tumors evaluated showed either all or most of the typical epidermal and dermal histologic features of equin...
McGovern KF, Bladon BM, Fraser BS, Boston RC.To determine the success of medical management of suspected displacement of the ascending (large) colon in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses (n = 127) with suspected large colon displacement. Methods: Medical records (January 1998-September 2008) of horses admitted for colic were reviewed. Suspected large colon displacement was diagnosed from clinical examination and in some cases, subsequent surgical examination. Medically managed horses were exercised and administered intravenous fluids and analgesia. Horses with suspected left dorsal displacement (LDD) of the large...
Wilderjans H, Meulyzer M, Simon O.To describe a standing laparoscopic peritoneal flap hernioplasty (PFH) technique for closure of the vaginal ring, and to evaluate its effect on prevention of recurrent herniation in stallions, previously treated for acquired strangulating inguinal hernia (SIH). Methods: Case series. Methods: Stallions (n = 30) aged 3-15 that had previous acquired SIH. Methods: Bilateral standing laparoscopic PFH was performed on 30 stallions that had previous acquired SIH treated without castration. The vaginal rings were approached from 3 portals, 2 in the paralumbar fossa and a 3rd between the 17th and 18th ...
Vergari C, Pourcelot P, Ravary-Plumioën B, Dupays AG, Denoix JM, Mitton D, Laugier P, Crevier-Denoix N.Ultrasonography is an established technique to follow up injured tendons, although the lesions' echogenicity tends to become normal before the tendon is ready to sustain the stresses imposed by exercise. Normalized axial speed of sound (SOS) has been found to correlate with an injured tendon's stiffness; therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish whether SOS would be a useful tool in tendon injury follow-up. Axial SOS was measured in 11 equine superficial digital flexor tendons during a 15-week follow-up period and compared with an ultrasonographic grading system. SOS significantly ...
Everett E, Barrett JG, Morelli J, DeVita R.To compare in vitro biomechanical properties of a novel suture pattern to a current standard for primary repair of equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) laceration. Methods: In vitro randomized, paired design. Methods: Cadaveric equine forelimb SDFT (n = 24). Methods: The 3-loop pulley (3LP) and 6-strand Savage (SSS) suture patterns were applied to transected equine SDFT. Ultimate failure load, stiffness, mode of failure, and load required to form a 3-mm gap were obtained using a materials testing system and synchronized high-speed video analysis. Statistical comparisons were made us...
Röcken M, Mosel G, Seyrek-Intas K, Seyrek-Intas D, Litzke F, Verver J, Rijkenhuizen AB.To evaluate surgical techniques, perioperative complications and outcome of laparoscopic surgery for unilateral and bilateral ovariectomy in mares. Methods: Retrospective multicenter case series. Methods: Mares (n = 157). Methods: Indications for surgery were neutering, fertility problems, elimination of hormone-related abnormal behavior, ovarian tumors as well as nonregressive ovarian hematomas or cysts. Ovariectomy (n = 206) were performed by a standard laparoscopic procedure in 157 standing sedated mares. Dissection and hemostasis were achieved by using either (1) a linear stapling device, ...
Watts AE, Fubini SL, Todhunter RJ, Brooks MB.To identify hemostatic imbalances indicative of an increased risk of intra-abdominal adhesion formation in foals versus adult horses. Methods: Horses with colic undergoing exploratory laparotomy or abdominocentesis as part of a clinical examination (n = 16 foals ≤ 6 months of age and 19 adults ≥ 5 years of age) and horses without colic undergoing herniorrhaphy (15 foals) or euthanasia for noninflammatory and nongastrointestinal disease (10 foals and 20 adults). Methods: Paired abdominal fluid and blood samples were collected from each horse into buffered sodium citrate and centrifuged imme...
Guschlbauer M, Feige K, Geburek F, Hoppe S, Hopster K, Pröpsting MJ, Huber K.To determine whether administration of lidocaine during ischemia and reperfusion in horses results in concentrations in smooth muscle sufficient to protect against the negative consequences of ischemia-reperfusion injury on smooth muscle motility. Methods: 12 horses. Methods: Artificial ischemia and reperfusion injury of jejunal segments was induced in vivo in conjunction with lidocaine treatment during ischemia (IRL) or without lidocaine treatment (IR). Isometric force performance was measured in vitro in IRL and IR smooth muscle preparations with and without additional in vitro application o...
Vergari C, Pourcelot P, Ravary-Plumioën B, Dupays AG, Jacquet S, Audigié F, Denoix JM, Laugier P, Mitton D, Crevier-Denoix N.Equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) are often injured, and they represent an excellent model for human sport tendinopathies. While lesions can be precisely diagnosed by clinical evaluation and ultrasonography, a prognosis is often difficult to establish; the knowledge of the injured tendon's mechanical properties would help in anticipating the outcome. The objectives of the present study were to compare the axial speed of sound (SOS) measured in vivo in normal and injured tendons and to investigate their relationship with the tendons' mechanical parameters, in order to assess the ...
Bleetman D.The Great Western Ambulance Service Air Support Unit (ASU) was established in July 2007. The helicopter carries a doctor, providing a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) model of care. Equestrian sport-related injuries account for 6.8% of the unit's total attended case load. Horse riding has a higher rate of severe injury than motorcycle racing and 45% of patients admitted with equestrian injuries require surgical intervention. Orthopaedic injuries to the extremities are commonest, superseding head injuries since the introduction of protective headwear. The majority of equestrian sport...
Banse HE, Gilliam LL, House AM, McKenzie HC, Johnson PJ, Lopes MA, Carmichael RJ, Groover ES, Lacarrubba AM, Breshears MA, Brosnahan MM, Funk R....CASE DESCRIPTION-13 equids (10 horses, 2 donkeys, and 1 pony) were examined for signs of colic (n = 7), weight loss (6), anorexia (3), and diarrhea (2). Ten equids were evaluated in the fall (September to November). Seven equids had a history of persimmon ingestion. CLINICAL FINDINGS-A diagnosis of phytobezoar caused by persimmon ingestion was made for all equids. Eight equids had gastric persimmon phytobezoars; 5 had enteric persimmon phytobezoars. Gastroscopy or gastroduodenoscopy revealed evidence of persimmon ingestion in 8 of 10 equids in which these procedures were performed. TREATMENT A...
Kilcoyne I, Dechant JE, Kass PH, Spier SJ.Objective-To determine the outcome of penetrating injuries to the central region of the foot in equids and identify factors that may affect treatment and outcome. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-63 equids (61 horses, 1 pony, and 1 mule). Procedures-Records of equids incurring puncture wounds through the frog (cuneus ungulae) or collateral sulci of the foot between 1998 and 2008 were reviewed. Evaluated factors that were hypothesized to affect outcome included signalment, degree of lameness, foot affected, duration between injury and admission, and treatment. Injuries were graded from...
Fowlie J, Arnoczky S, Lavagnino M, Maerz T, Stick J.To evaluate the magnitude and distribution of joint contact pressure on the medial tibial condyle after grade III cranial horn tears of the medial meniscus. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine stifles (n = 6). Methods: Cadaveric stifles were mounted in a materials testing system and electronic pressure sensors were placed between the medial tibial condyle and medial meniscus. Specimens were loaded parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tibia to 1800 N at 130°, 140°, 150°, and 160° stifle angle. Peak pressure and contact area were recorded from the contact maps. Testing...
Böer U, Lohrenz A, Klingenberg M, Pich A, Haverich A, Wilhelmi M.Decellularized equine carotid arteries (dEAC) may represent a reasonable alternative to alloplastic materials in vascular replacement therapy. Acellularity of the matrix is standardly evaluated by DNA quantification what however may not record sufficiently the degree of matrix immunogenicity. Thus, our aim was to analyze dEAC with a low DNA content for residual cellular proteins. A detergent-based decellularization protocol including endonuclease treatment resulted in dEAC with 0.6 ± 0.15 ng DNA/mg dry weight representing 0.33 ± 0.14% of native tissue DNA content. In contrast, when matrices ...
Baker WT, Frederick J, Giguere S, Lynch TM, Lehmkuhl HD, Slone DE.To evaluate the outcome in horses treated with a rolling technique or surgically for nephrosplenic entrapment of the large colon (NSE) and to examine the benefit of phenylephrine (PE) HCl on the efficacy of nonsurgical (rolling) management of NSE. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 211) diagnosed with NSE by rectal palpation with or without ultrasonography, or at the time of exploratory celiotomy or necropsy. Methods: Medical records (January 1, 2001-September 1, 2008) were collected from horses diagnosed with NSE at 2 referral centers. Records were used to obtain signalment, physical ...
Mc Nally TP, Slone DE, Lynch TM, Hughes FE.To validate the safety of a suprapatellar pouch (SPP), approach to the femoropatellar joint (FPJ), and describe use of a laparoscopic cannula to remove debris or loose bodies. Methods: Retrospective case series Methods: Horses (n = 168) with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the FPJ. Methods: Arthroscopy was performed on 245 FPJ with OCD. Two subpatellar portals were created, 1 axial and 1 abaxial to the lateral patellar ligament. Additionally, a SPP egress portal for lavage, was created 2 cm proximal to the most palpable dorsolateral eminence of the patellar base. A 10-mm laparoscopic cannul...
Hinz A, Fischer AT.To compare the accuracy of ultrasonographic and radiographic examination for evaluation of articular lesions in horses. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Horses (n = 137) with articular lesions. Methods: Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations of the affected joint(s) were performed before diagnostic or therapeutic arthroscopic surgery. Findings were recorded and compared to lesions identified during arthroscopy. Results: In 254 joints, 432 lesions were identified by arthroscopy. The overall accuracy was 82.9% for ultrasonography and 62.2% for radiography (P < .0001) with a se...
Pader K, Lescun TB, Freeman LJ.To develop and assess the feasibility of standing transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES®) ovariectomy in the mare. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Mares (n=10). Methods: The technique was developed in 6 mares and then evaluated in a short-term study in 4 mares. Abdominal access was developed using controlled access vaginal cannula placement under endoscopic guidance. With viewing provided by a flexible endoscope, hemostasis, and transection of ovarian pedicles was performed using a customized bipolar vessel-sealing device. The ovaries were retrieved and the ...
Carlson ER, Bramlage LR, Stewart AA, Embertson RM, Ruggles AJ, Hopper SA.Surgical correction of carpal angular limb deformities by growth retardation is commonly undertaken with a screws and tension band wire loop technique (S&W) or a single transphyseal screw (STS). This study compares complications after S&W and STS bridging in the distal radius of Thoroughbred yearlings. Objective: To compare the prevalence of complications serious enough to require follow-up radiographs following either S&W or STS surgery for growth manipulation in the distal radius of Thoroughbred yearlings. Methods: Medical records and radiographs from Thoroughbred yearlings (age ...
Preiss EE, Kenney DG, McGurrin MK, Physick-Sheard PW.To evaluate influence of electrode position on cardioversion energy (CE; energy delivered in the shock at which cardioversion was achieved) during transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) in horses with atrial fibrillation. Methods: 37 horses with atrial fibrillation (41 cardioversion events). Methods: Records were reviewed to identify horses that underwent TVEC for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Signalment and CE were recorded. Electrode positions in the right atrium and pulmonary artery were identified on intraoperative radiographs. An orthogonal coordinate space was created, and elect...
Waguespack RW, Hanson RR.Navicular syndrome is a chronic, progressive condition affecting the navicular bone and bursa, deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and associated soft tissue structures composing the navicular apparatus. The treatment options for navicular syndrome are as varied as the proposed causes of the condition. The severity of clinical signs, intended use and workload of the horse, and owner compliance with therapy are important considerations in developing a treatment plan. Nonsurgical treatment of navicular syndrome consists of rest, hoof balance and corrective trimming/shoeing, and medical therapy, i...
Curling A.Equine recurrent uveitis has traditionally been treated with medical management to reduce ocular inflammation and control pain during a single episode. Newer management methods include surgical options such as cyclosporine implantation and vitrectomy. These methods were developed not only to control inflammation but also to eliminate the underlying cause of uveitis in order to prevent recurrence.
Waguespack RW, Taintor J.The paranasal sinus system of horses is complex, comprising six pairs of sinuses. Disease processes that can develop in the sinuses include ethmoid hematomas, cysts, neoplasia, and bacterial and fungal infections. Horses that develop paranasal sinus disease vary widely in age. A significant number of clinical conditions involving the paranasal sinuses require a combination of diagnostic tests to determine the specific pathologic process. Because of the anatomic location of the paranasal sinuses and associated chronic conditions that affect many patients, many disease processes involving the pa...
McClellan NR, Santschi EM, Hurcombe SD, Litsky AS.To (1) develop a model of cyclical adduction force on an abducted left arytenoid cartilage that mimics swallowing or coughing; (2) determine if arytenoid abduction by a clamp before knot tying will improve the maintenance of abduction under cyclical adduction testing. Methods: Experimental. Methods: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 14). Methods: Left laryngoplasty performed using a single suture of #5 Ethibond with (n = 7) and without (n = 7) abducting the arytenoid with a clamp before knot tying. Each laryngoplasty was loaded cyclically from 2 to 26 N at 0.5 Hz for 5000 cycles i...
French DD, Haynes PF, Miller RI.A horse had severe granulomatous lesions of the upper airways that were attributable to Conidiobolus coronatus. Therapeutic success was documented by clinical examination of the horse 4 years after treatment by surgical extirpation and intralesional and topical use of amphotericin B.
Harvey-Micay J.An 8-year-old, Thoroughbred-cross mare presented with recurrent colic. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large mass near the right dorsal colon; white, raised foci on the liver; and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Cytological examination of biopsies revealed neoplastic cells. The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was confirmed by histological examination.
Welch RD, Dean PW, Miller MW.Pulsed spectral Doppler ultrasonography was used to characterize the vascular involvement and anatomic boundaries of a peripheral arteriovenous fistula on the hemithorax of a horse. This information facilitated surgical removal of the fistula. Pulsed spectral Doppler evaluation of suspected peripheral vascular anomalies should be considered for the diagnosis of similar lesions, in which contrast angiography is not possible.
Dziezyc J, Millichamp NJ, Keller CB.The medical records of 12 horses that had cataracts removed by use of phacofragmentation were reviewed. Cataracts were removed from 16 eyes in horses ranging in age from 2 months to 15 years. Complications after surgery included corneal ulcers in 13 eyes, diffuse corneal edema in 5 eyes, and uncontrollable uveitis in 3 eyes. Follow-up information was obtained in all horses from 1 month to 3.5 years after surgery. Visual results were judged good by owners or veterinarians in 10 of the horses.
Dukti S, White N.Colic is one of the most common and challenging problems that equine practitioners encounter. Although the majority of horses with colic can be treated with medical management, up to 10% of horses with colic require surgical intervention. The decision for surgery is often straightforward based on historical and diagnostic information. However, some horses require further diagnostics and observation to determine if surgery is needed. Surgical intervention can be life saving. However, complications may arise during surgery, in the immediate postoperative period, or during long-term management, a...
Ross MW, Cullen KK, Rutkowski JA.Myoelectric activity of the ileum, cecum, and right ventral colon (RVC) was studied in 4 mature ponies. Eight Ag-AgCl bipolar recording electrodes were sutured to the seromuscular layer of the ileum (2 electrodes), cecum (4 electrodes), and RVC (2 electrodes). Myoelectric activity was studied beginning 10 days after surgery. Eight, 60-minute recording sessions were performed in each pony during the interdigestive period, which was the period 3 to 7 hours after the morning feeding. On separate days, food was withheld for 24 hours, and 90-minute recordings were obtained during the nonfeeding per...
Nelson BB, Brounts SH.Intussusception is thought to be associated with abnormal motility in the intestinal tract. The clinical signs vary depending on the associated intestinal damage. Therefore, intussusception should be included in the differential diagnosis for any horse with acute or chronic colic. A diagnosis may be made by ultrasonography or rectal palpation, but exploratory laparotomy is the predominant method. Treatment varies according to the location of the intussusception, but all treatments involve surgical intervention. The prognosis for intussusception can be good if the condition is diagnosed and tre...
Delfs KC, Hawkins JF, Hogan DF.2 horses and 1 pony were evaluated for right-sided (1 horse and the pony) and left-sided (1 horse) acute epistaxis of 1 day's to 1 month's duration. Results: Endoscopic examination of the 3 equids revealed that the hemorrhage originated from the right maxillary artery in 2 equids and from the left internal carotid artery in the third. Mycosis of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch) was detected in all 3 equids. Results: All 3 equids underwent surgery, and transarterial nitinol intravascular plugs were placed to occlude affected blood vessels. All equids survived for a long period (i...
Verwilghen D, Van Galen G, Vanderheyden L, Busoni V, Salciccia A, Balligand M, Serteyn D, Grulke S.To describe a technique for, and outcome after, mandibular osteodistraction in the horse. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Warmblood horse. Methods: A half ring external fixator was applied on both sides of an osteotomy site performed on the mandible of a colt. A bite plate was placed on the upper incisors creating occlusion between lower and upper jaw. After a 5-day latency period, distraction was applied (1 mm/day) until the overjet was judged normal. Results: Mandibular elongation and correction of brachygnathia was obtained without major complications. Six months after the procedure the ...
Genton M, Vila T, Olive J, Rossignol F.To report the feasibility of standing MRI (sMRI) and document the value of sMRI in surgical planning for surgical repair of limb fractures in the horse. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Thirty-one horses with preoperative sMRI. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for fracture type, application of a polyester cast, sMRI sequences performed, technical variables, and image quality. Fracture geometry and concomitant lesions were compared between sMRI and radiography. The relative value of sMRI with regard to surgical planning was classified as minor (sMRI did not provide additional ...
Hale MJ, Zellner EM, Naiman JH, Kraus KH.To determine the influence of suture patterns on resistance to gap formation after tendon plating STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo study SAMPLE POPULATION: Suspensory ligament and superficial and deep digital flexor tendons harvested from 16 neonatal cadaver foal limbs. Methods: Each tendon/ligament from a given limb was randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups consisting of a 7-hole veterinary cuttable plate fixed with alternating simple interrupted, figure-8, or hybrid suture patterns. The constructs were distracted at a rate of 1.0 mm/s to failure, as determined by the formation of a 1 m...
Line SW, Hart BL, Sanders L.Males horses castrated prepubertally occasionally display stallion-like sexual and aggressive behavior as adults. A retrospective survey of 140 horse owners was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of prepubertal versus postpubertal castration on objectionable sexual and aggressive behavior. Of 94 geldings that had been castrated prepubertally (before 2 years of age), 20% to 30% displayed stallion-like sexual behavior and aggression toward horses, and 5% were aggressive toward people in a stallion-like manner. This occurrence of problem behavior was not significantly different from the occu...
Ducharme NG, Pascoe PJ, Lumsden JH, Ducharme GR.In order to determine which variables are useful in identifying horses with abdominal pain requiring surgery, data were analysed from 219 horses presented at one veterinary teaching hospital. Using multiple stepwise discriminant analysis with a recursive partitioning algorithm, we obtained a decision tree that identifies surgical and non-surgical patients. The prevalence of surgical patients was 79 per cent in this population. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of this decision tree were 99 per cent, 55 per cent, 90 per cent and 99 per cent respectively. ...
Czlonkowska M, Boyle MS, Allen WR.Fourteen horse embryos recovered non-surgically on Days 6-8 after ovulation (Day 0) were cooled slowly to - 35 degrees C (7 embryos) or - 40 degrees C (7 embryos) and stored in liquid nitrogen (- 196 degrees C) for 4-98 days. Surgical transfer of the thawed embryos to unmated recipient mares that had ovulated - 2 to + 1 days with respect to the embryo donors resulted initially in the establishment of 4 conceptuses. However, only one mare maintained her pregnancy to term.
Gerring EL, Webbon PM.Restriction of free movement of the flexor tendons through the fetlock canal results in lameness. The commonest cause was chronic synovitis of the digital sheath. The condition is characterised by an unremitting lameness, synovial distension and a notch on the caudal aspect of the limb. The condition can be relieved by section of the annular ligament of the fetlock. In a series of 24 cases 16 horses returned to work with no recurrence of lameness, three cases were lost to follow up and five animals remained lame; three of these had intercurrent disease.
Edwards GB.Diseases of the small colon are numerous and they can affect horses of any age. Diseases can be simple obstructions, nonstrangulating obstructions, strangulating obstructions, and congenital defects. American Miniature Horses appear prone to luminal obstruction with impacted intestinal contents, and some ischemic diseases are more common in postpartum mares. Enterotomy and enterectomy have a high success rate in the small colon, provided the affected portion can be exteriorized. The beginning and terminal portions of the small colon can be involved in many diseases and are not readily accessib...
Perkins JD, Hughes TK, Brain B.To describe and evaluate the use of a transoral, endoscope-guided technique for transection of an entrapping epiglottic fold in sedated standing horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (n=16) with epiglottic fold entrapment (EFE). Methods: Medical records (2005-2006) of 16 horses with EFE were reviewed to determine history, physical and endoscopic examination findings, postoperative complications, and outcome after axial division of EFE using a hooked bistoury, under an endoscopic-guided, transoral approach. Results: EFE was confirmed by endoscopy. Axial division was successfully...
Chopin JB, Chopin LK, Knott LM, de Kretser DM, Dowsett KF.An 8-year-old mare, with a foal at foot, was inseminated on foal heat with frozen semen, with the resultant pregnancy lost between days 34 and 41. The right ovary developed a large anovulatory follicle that was non-responsive to multiple doses of ovulating agents. The follicle eventually appeared to luteinise, although plasma progesterone concentrations did not reflect this. Another follicle developed, responded to GnRH and resulted in a pregnancy from frozen semen that went to term with a healthy foal. When the mare was examined after foaling, the structure on the right ovary appeared to be a...
Santschi EM, Slone DE.Infertility was associated with a uterine mass in 2 Thoroughbred mares. Both mares had produced live foals, but had been barren for 2 years, despite repeated breedings. Each mass was removed through a right ventral paramedian incision. Histologic examination of the masses revealed a leiomyoma and an ovarian abscess. In 1 mare, approximately 30% of 1 uterine horn was removed because of tumor attachment; in the other mare, approximately 50% of 1 uterine horn was removed because of adhesions to the ovarian abscess. Pregnancy information was available for both mares for the 3 years after surgery; ...
Moran JA, Lemberger K, Cadoré JL, Lepage OM.An 11-year-old Andalusian stallion developed marked signs of colic associated with an acute small intestine obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a distal jejunum full-thickness wall induration and multiple small adherent intraluminal masses. Fifteen centimeters of jejunum, including the induration, and several intraluminal masses were resected. Histologic examination revealed an adenocarcinoma and multiple polypoid adenomas. The horse was discharged, and no complications were reported 12 months postoperatively. Colic was considered secondary to partial jejunal lumen obstruction by the ...
Hill JA, Tyma JF, Hayes GM, Radcliffe R, Fubini SL.Obesity is common in the equine population and it has been associated with increased surgical morbidity and mortality in humans. The effect of increased body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of surgical site infections has not been investigated in horses. Objective: To determine whether horses with increased body fat, as estimated by BMI, are more likely to develop post-operative complications, particularly incisional complications, following emergency ventral midline celiotomy. Methods: Retrospective, multi-institutional clinical study. Methods: Medical records of horses >2 years old presen...
Cousty M, Tricaud C, De Beauregard T, Picandet V, Bizon-Mercier C, Tessier C.The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of ligation of the ipsilateral common carotid artery (CCA) combined with various antimycotic treatments for the prevention of epistaxis in horses with guttural pouch mycosis. For each case, ipsilateral ligation of the CCA was performed, followed by application of various topical medications under endoscopic guidance. Frequency and number of treatments, outcome and recurrence of haemorrhage were retrospectively recorded. Twenty-four horses were included. Topical medication was administered by detachment of the diphtheric membrane and sprayin...
Valdez H, Scrutchfield WL, Taylor TS.Eight horses ranging in age from 4 days to 9 years were treated for peritonitis. Escherichia coli was isolated in four cases and Nocardia sp in one case. In each case, a catheter placed in the peritoneal cavity allowed drainage of a large amount of purulent fluid. Retrograde peritoneal lavage was performed through a Foley catheter or medical tubing, using Ringer's lactate solution containing kanamycin, povidone iodine, or nitrofurazone. All except two horses responded well to repeated lavage.
Edwards GB.During a 3 year period 20 horses with bone spavin were treated by surgical arthrodesis of the affected joints. The horses chosen for surgery were those with osteoarthritis, but with little or no evidence of periostitis. Whenever possible they were examined periodically during the postoperative period to evaluate the lameness and to assess the progress of ankylosis by radiography. Three of the horses were still lame 12 months later. The remainder returned to normal work, although one subsequently developed spavin in the other hock and was destroyed. The earliest return to soundness was 3 1/2 mo...
Eight mares with third-degree rectovestibular lacerations were treated by a two-stage surgical technique. The rectovestibular shelf was corrected with three parallel 'circular' continuous suture rows distributed along the longitudinal axis of the vagina, and the perineal body was reconstructed with three divergent simple continuous rows. Primary healing of the first-stage surgery occurred in all the mares. Seven of the mares completed the two-stage surgery and primary healing occurred in all of them. One of them returned to endurance racing competition and one was lost to follow-up. The other ...
Embertson RM.Congenital deformities of tendons and ligaments are not uncommon in foals. The vast majority of hyperextension deformities are treated successfully with exercise management and extended heel shoes. Successful treatment of contractural deformities depend on the site and severity of the deformity and on the appropriate use of medical, physical, and, possibly, surgical therapy.
Polyak MM, Morton AJ, Grosche A, Matyjaszek S, Freeman DE.Several therapeutic agents have been tested in models of ischaemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) in equine jejunum, with mixed results. This study was based on the use of an organ perfusion solution (OPS) designed to protect human allografts from IRI. Objective: A modified OPS can preserve the integrity of equine large colon during 12 h of isolated pulsatile perfusion, in the absence of oxygen and blood. Methods: Segments of large colon were removed from anaesthetised horses, the contents removed and the mucosa rinsed with 0.9% saline. Experimental segments were perfused for 12 h with one litre...
Rose PL, Penninck D.Intraoperative ultrasonography was used in six horses to aid localization and removal of bone fragments (3 horses) and foreign bodies (3 horses). The ultrasound transducer was enclosed in a sterile sleeve containing sterile aqueous gel and the examination was performed after aseptic preparation of the surgical site. Using ultrasound guidance a needle was placed in contact with the bone fragment or foreign body and an incision was made along the path of the needle to expose and remove the object. This technique resulted in decreased operative time and minimal tissue dissection.
Nixon AJ, Stashak TS.Malalignment of the atlas and axis was seen in 4 horses with an idiopathic form of atlantoaxial subluxation characterized by spinal cord compression on extension. The bone structure and density of the atlas and axis were radiographically normal in 3 of the 4 horses. Clinical signs appeared when the horses were 6 to 30 months old, and 3 of the 4 horses had a history of trauma. Although a congenital anomaly could not be ruled out, the cause was thought to be trauma. The horses were moderately to severely ataxic at the time of examination. Myelography revealed compression of the spinal cord at th...
