Electrosurgical tenoscopic desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor muscle (proximal check ligament) in horses.

The research article provides an overview of a surgical technique using monopolar electrosurgery to cut the accessory ligament of superficial digital flexor muscle (AL-SDFM) in horses, and the results from its application in 33 cases. The study indicates that the method was generally successful, though certain complications and extended recovery periods did occur.

Research Method

• The team used a case series method to conduct their study. They reviewed medical files and surgery video recordings of 33 horses that had undergone the AL-SDFM desmotomy performed by the technique of tenoscopy with monopolar electrosurgical electrodes.

Results from the Surgery

• Two main types of horses had the surgery done – 24 of them were standardbred racehorses that were operated on bilaterally due to superficial digital flexor tendonitis, whereas the remaining 9 horses had flexural deformity.
• During the operation, the most common complication was intrathecal hemorrhage, which was either severe or mild. Despite these complications, the surgery was successfully completed for all horses.
• Large intrathecal vessels including the nutrient artery were successfully sealed by electrocoagulation and enabled the completion of desmotomy.

Post-Surgery Observations

• After the surgery, clear or serosanguinous drainage was observed from the skin incisions for approximately 4.3 days.
• Extended wound drainage for more than 4 days occurred in 10 horses, majorly those treated for flexural deformities.

Conclusions from the Study

• Overall, 64 AL-SDFMs in the 33 horses were successfully cut under tenoscopic observation using monopolar electrodes.
• Postoperative wound care was standard as per routine tenoscopy in around 70% of the horses. However, aseptic protracted wound drainage was observed in 30% of the cases mainly with flexural deformity leading to a longer hospitalization period.