Percutaneous tendon splitting–method and results.

This study assesses the effectiveness of the percutaneous tendon splitting surgery on horses by observing their performance in races over a two-year period, and comparing the results with non-operated Standardbred trotters.

Overview of the Research

• The research evaluates a surgical procedure known as percutaneous tendon splitting. This operation is commonly performed and in this context, it was applied to Standardbred trotters— a breed of horse particularly known for its ability in harness racing.
• The effectiveness of this operation was judged based on the horses’ ability to race over a follow-up period of two years.

Methodology

• The study used the number of successfully completed races post-surgery as an indicator of soundness and ability to perform. Longer-term soundness was defined as running more than 10 races during the follow-up period.
• The horses which underwent percutaneous tendon splitting were divided into two groups based on the tendon that was operated upon— the suspensory ligament or the superficial flexor.
• As comparison, a control group of non-operated Standardbred trotters was used.

Results

• The results showed that a higher percentage of horses that had the suspensory ligament split failed to remain sound long enough to run more than 10 races over the two-year follow up period.
• For those horses whose superficial flexor was operated upon, fewer of them returned to racing compared to the horses in the control group.

Interpretation

• From these findings, it can be interpreted that percutaneous tendon splitting may have had adverse effects on the long-term racing performance of these horses.
• The split suspensory ligament appears to contribute to a relatively short-term return to soundness, while operating on the superficial flexor seems to result in less successful returns to racing compared to those horses who did not undergo this surgery.