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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Immediate pre-operative computed tomography for surgical pla...
PloS one2022; 17(12); e0278748; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278748

Immediate pre-operative computed tomography for surgical planning of equine fracture repair: A retrospective review of 55 cases.

Abstract: Fracture configuration is often more complex than is radiographically appreciable. The objective of this study is to describe the influence of pre-operative computed tomography (CT) for surgical planning in a variety of fracture types. This has not been described in previous studies. All cases with pre-operative radiographs, admitted for CT and surgical repair of a suspected limb fracture from January 2010-December 2020 were reviewed. CT was acquired under general anaesthesia in a multi-slice helical scanner; any surgery was then performed immediately. Three diplomates (two surgical; one diagnostic imaging) performed a blinded retrospective review of the radiographs and CT for each horse. A consensus decision was made on any change in surgical plan prior to and after CT review, and cases divided into three categories: CT of major, intermediate or minor relevance, as previously described by Genton et al, 2019. 55 cases were collated. Thoroughbred racehorses predominated. The median age was 3 years. A diverse range of fractures were presented: proximal phalanx (18/55), carpal (17/55), metacarpal/tarsal (11/55), sesamoid (5/55), tarsal (3/55), and middle phalanx (1/55). In 13 of 55 cases (23.6%, 95% CI[12%,35%]) CT was of major relevance. In 21 of 55 cases CT was of intermediate relevance (38.2%, 95% CI[25%,51%]). In 21 of 55 cases CT was of minor relevance (38.2%, 95% CI[25%,51%]). A Fisher's exact test demonstrated no statistical difference in CT relevance between fracture types (p<0.05). This study demonstrates that CT has a significant role in surgical planning, and in the majority (61.8%) of cases added additional information or significantly changed the surgical plan. In all cases CT ensured confidence in surgical planning.
Copyright: © 2022 Taylor et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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Publication Date: 2022-12-28 PubMed ID: 36576917PubMed Central: PMC9797063DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278748Google 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 assesses the value of using pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scans in surgical planning for equine (horse) fractures. The study found that CT scans significantly impacted surgical planning in most cases and increased confidence in the surgery planning process.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The aim of this study was to determine how pre-operative CT scans affect surgical planning for different types of horse fractures. The study is novel, as such an investigation has not been conducted before.
  • The researchers reviewed all cases of suspected limb fractures in horses admitted for CT scans and surgical repair from January 2010 to December 2020.
  • CT scans were performed under general anesthesia using a multi-slice helical scanner, and operations followed immediately. The radiographs and CT scans for each horse were retrospectively reviewed by three experts (two surgeons and one diagnostic imaging specialist).
  • A consensus decision was made on any changes in surgical plans before and after the CT review. Then, the cases were divided based on the CT’s relevance: major, intermediate, or minor, as previously defined by Genton et al, 2019.

Research Findings

  • The study reviewed 55 cases, primarily involving Thoroughbred racehorses. The median age was three years, and the horses presented a variety of fractures.
  • The importance of CT scans varied among the cases. CT scans were of major relevance in 23.6% of cases, of intermediate relevance in 38.2% of cases, and of minor relevance in 38.2% of cases.
  • A statistical test showed no significant difference in the relevance of CT scans among the different types of fractures (p<0.05).

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study concluded that CT scans play an essential role in the surgical planning for horse fractures. In the majority (61.8%) of cases, CT scans provided additional information or significantly altered the surgical plan.
  • The results highlight the importance of CT in ensuring confidence in surgical planning, reducing the likelihood of surprising or unforeseen complication during the surgery.

Cite This Article

APA
Taylor CJ, Peter VG, Coleridge MOD, Bathe AP. (2022). Immediate pre-operative computed tomography for surgical planning of equine fracture repair: A retrospective review of 55 cases. PLoS One, 17(12), e0278748. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278748

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 12
Pages: e0278748

Researcher Affiliations

Taylor, Camilla J
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket, England, United Kingdom.
Peter, Vanessa G
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket, England, United Kingdom.
Coleridge, Matthew O D
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket, England, United Kingdom.
Bathe, Andrew P
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket, England, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Radiography
  • Extremities

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

References

This article includes 12 references
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