Complete and partial hoof wall resection for keratoma removal: post operative complications and final outcome in 26 horses (1994-2004).

The research article is about comparing the post-operation complications and outcomes between complete hoof wall resection and partial hoof wall resection when removing keratomas in horses. The study found that partial resection results in fewer complications and a quicker return to normal activity.

Research Purpose and Objectives

• The study sought to fill a gap in knowledge regarding post-operative complications and outcomes after keratoma removal in horses. Specifically, it wanted to establish whether these were influenced by the method of surgical removal.
• Part of the objectives was to compare the results of complete hoof wall resection (CR) and partial hoof wall resection (PR).
• The researchers hypothesized that horses undergoing PR would experience fewer post-operative complications and recover faster than those undergoing CR.

Methodology

• The study was conducted by retrospectively reviewing medical records from an equine hospital. The records belonged to 26 horses that had undergone either CR or PR to remove keratoma.
• Various types of data, including clinical information, radiological readings, and surgical outcomes, were analyzed.

Results

• The common clinical signs before surgery included lameness and the presence of a subsolar abscess.
• Out of the 26 horses, 14 underwent CR and 12 underwent PR.
• The study found that the complication rate following CR (71%) was significantly higher than that following PR (25%) (P<0.01).
• Complications included excess granulation tissue formation, hoof crack formation, and keratoma recurrence at the surgical site.
• The time taken to return to full work post-operatively was significantly shorter in horses undergoing PR compared to CR (P<0.01).
• All horses, except one, were able to return to their prior levels of activity.

Conclusions

• The research findings indicate that PR leads to fewer post-operative complications and a quicker return to athletic activity than CR.
• However, despite the higher overall complication rate with CR, the prognosis for return to soundness and to the previous performance level is noted to be very high.