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Frontiers in veterinary science2020; 7; 560379; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.560379

En-bloc Auriculectomy for Removal of a Large Pinna-Based Ear Mass in a Horse.

Abstract: A 15-year-old Pony of America (POA) gelding presented for evaluation of a large mass present on the right external pinna. Based on gross appearance, the right ear mass was suspected to be neoplastic. The most likely differential diagnosis was that of a fibroblastic sarcoid. Complete auriculectomy via use of a constricting latex-tourniquet performed under multimodal analgesia was proposed as an option to achieve complete resolution of mass growth and improve patient comfort. Benefits of latex tourniquet constriction included immediate lack of bleeding associated with amputation, gradual ischemic necrosis and sloughing of tissue distant to the site of constriction, and cost-effective application. The external pinna sloughed 3 weeks following application of the constricting latex tourniquet. Complete healing was achieved within 3 months from the time of tourniquet application. The middle ear canal sealed closed as a result of auriculectomy, with no observed long-term discomfort or morbidity aside from reduction in hearing. This is the first report of total external ear amputation in the horse. Complete auriculectomy via use of a constricting latex tourniquet is a feasible method for en-bloc removal of large, complicated ear masses.
Copyright © 2020 Silverstone, Tatarniuk, Durket and Gillen.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-30 PubMed ID: 33195536PubMed Central: PMC7661778DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.560379Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research presents a case study of a 15-year-old horse treated for a suspected cancerous growth on the right ear. The condition was resolved by complete removal of the external ear, a procedure made possible by the use of a constricting latex tourniquet, resulting in the tissue’s eventual sloughing off. The treatment was deemed successful due to the mass’s complete removal, the horse’s comfort improvement, and the lack of long-term discomfort or health issues besides reduced hearing.

Objective

The primary objective of this research was to present an effective method for dealing with large, potentially cancerous masses in a horse’s pinna through complete auriculectomy using a constricting latex tourniquet under multimodal analgesia.

Methods

  • The research was focused on a 15-year-old horse diagnosed with a large mass on its right external pinna, suspected to be a result of fibroblastic sarcoid, a type of skin tumor in horses.
  • The option to surgically remove the entire mass was proposed given its size and complicated nature.
  • The method involved applying a constricting latex tourniquet, causing immediate lack of bleeding during the amputation, subsequent gradual ischemic necrosis, and eventual sloughing of the tissue away from the constriction site. This proved to be a cost-effective method.
  • Post procedure, the external pinna completely sloughed off three weeks after tourniquet application, and complete healing was achieved within three months from the time of tourniquet application.

Results and Conclusion

  • The results post auriculectomy showed that the middle ear canal sealed itself off, indicating successful wound healing.
  • Importantly, the procedure did not cause long-term discomfort or morbidity for the horse, other than a resulting reduction in hearing.
  • The outcome demonstrates that complete auriculectomy via the use of a constricting latex tourniquet is a feasible method for the en-bloc removal of large, complicated ear masses in horses.
  • The research concluded with the remark that this is the first reported instance of a total external ear amputation in a horse.

Implications

  • The findings shared in this research offer veterinarians a new, effective, and low-cost methodology to consider with regards to treating large masses or tumors in a horse’s ear.
  • This is especially relevant in cases where traditional methods may be less effective or may cause substantial discomfort or health issues for the horse.

Cite This Article

APA
Silverstone AM, Tatarniuk DM, Durket E, Gillen AM. (2020). En-bloc Auriculectomy for Removal of a Large Pinna-Based Ear Mass in a Horse. Front Vet Sci, 7, 560379. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.560379

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 7
Pages: 560379

Researcher Affiliations

Silverstone, Auri M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, United States.
Tatarniuk, Dane M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, United States.
Durket, Elyse
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, United States.
Gillen, Alex M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, United States.

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