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Endoscopic resection of dorsal spinous processes and interspinous ligament in ten horses.
Abstract: To describe endoscopic surgical subtotal resection of the dorsal spinous processes (DSP) and interspinous ligament in horses. Methods: Descriptive clinical study. Methods: Adult horses (n=10) with back pain and impinging dorsal spinous processes Methods: Diseased portions of DSP and interspinous ligament were resected by endoscopic surgery, using Destandau Endospine to create a surgical space and provide triangulation for the endoscope, suction cannula, and surgical instruments. Medical records of 10 horses with pain attributable to DSP pathology treated by endoscopic resection of DSP were reviewed to determine intra- and postoperative complications and outcome. Results: Affected portions of DSP were successfully resected with minimal hemorrhage. Limited periosteal reaction was noticed after 3 months in 2 horses. Nine horses had no complications and returned to full work within 8 weeks; 1 developed a subcutaneous abscess, which was successfully managed, and returned to work after 3 months. Surgical resection improved presenting clinical signs and owner's complaint although 2 horses did not return to previous performance levels. Conclusions: Resection of DSP and interspinous ligament can be successfully performed endoscopically in horses. Hemorrhage was minimal but reduced visibility. Complications were minimal and most horses returned to work by 8 weeks. Conclusions: Endoscopic resection of DSP is a safe and reliable surgical procedure in horses.
Publication Date: 2007-03-06 PubMed ID: 17335422DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2007.00247.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article outlines an endoscopic surgical procedure with the purpose of treating back pain in horses attributed to impinging dorsal spinous processes (DSP) and interspinous ligament issues. The results showed that the surgery was largely successful and most horses were able to return to full work within 8 weeks.
Research Methods
- The study is a descriptive clinical study that involved 10 adult horses suffering from back pain due to issues with the dorsal spinous processes (DSP) and interspinous ligament.
- These horses underwent an endoscopic surgical procedure, which is a type of minimally invasive surgery. The method involved resection, or removal, of the diseased portions of the DSP and interspinous ligament.
- The operation utilized the Destandau Endospine, a specialized surgical instrument, to create a surgical space and provide triangulation for the endoscope, suction cannula, and other surgical tools.
- After conducting the operations, the researchers reviewed medical records to assess potential intra- and postoperative complications, as well as the overall recovery and outcomes of the horses.
Results and Conclusions
- The endoscopic surgical operations were successful with minimal blood loss. Only two horses showed limited periosteal reactions after three months of surgery.
- Out of the ten horse participants, nine experienced no postoperative complications and got back to work fully within eight weeks.
- One horse developed a subcutaneous abscess post-operation, but it was managed successfully, and the horse was able to resume work after three months.
- While the surgery improved the initial clinical symptoms and owner’s concerns, two horses did not return to their previous levels of performance.
- The researchers concluded that endoscopic resection of DSP and interspinous ligament in horses can be performed successfully and safely. It involved minimal complications and the majority of horses were able to return to their normal work schedule within eight weeks.
Cite This Article
APA
Desbrosse FG, Perrin R, Launois T, Vandeweerd JM, Clegg PD.
(2007).
Endoscopic resection of dorsal spinous processes and interspinous ligament in ten horses.
Vet Surg, 36(2), 149-155.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2007.00247.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, The University of Liverpool, South Wirral, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Endoscopy / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Ligaments, Articular / surgery
- Low Back Pain / etiology
- Low Back Pain / veterinary
- Male
- Osteotomy / veterinary
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Spinal Diseases / complications
- Spinal Diseases / surgery
- Spinal Diseases / veterinary
- Thoracic Vertebrae / surgery
- Treatment Outcome
- Zygapophyseal Joint / surgery
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Pilati N, Pressanto MC, Palumbo Piccionello A, De Angelis Corvi F, Beccati F. Impinging and Overriding Spinous Processes in Horses: A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 13;15(18).
- Connaughton MT, MacDonald EJ, Ireland JL, Rocchigiani G, Stack JD. Experimental comparison of caudal wedge ostectomy to cranial wedge ostectomy for surgical treatment of overriding/impinging spinous processes in horses. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1395-1404.
- Baudisch N, Singer E, Jensen KC, Eichler F, Meyer HJ, Lischer C, Ehrle A. Influence of surgical intervention at the level of the dorsal spinous processes on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):492-501.
- Marshall-Gibson ME, Durham MG, Seabaugh KA, Moorman VJ, Ferris DJ. Survey of equine veterinarians regarding primary equine back pain in the United States. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1224605.
- Riccio B, Fraschetto C, Villanueva J, Cantatore F, Bertuglia A. Two Multicenter Surveys on Equine Back-Pain 10 Years a Part. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:195.
- Gutierrez-Quintana R, Lindley S, Sullivan M, Penderis J, Wessmann A. Dorsal spinous process impingement syndrome ('kissing spine') in a cat: imaging appearance and surgical management. J Feline Med Surg 2011 Aug;13(8):618-21.
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