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Veterinary surgery : VS2024; 54(2); 373-381; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14192

Radical surgical excision of extensive perianal melanomas on standing horses: Twenty cases.

Abstract: To report a radical surgical technique for perianal melanomas involving the anal margin in standing horses. Methods: Observational retrospective study. Methods: Twenty client-owned horses presented for surgical excision of extensive (≥4 cm) perianal melanomas. Methods: Demographic data, surgical technique, intraoperative, immediate- and late-postoperative complications were reviewed. Results: All horses (median age 15, Q1-Q3 12 to 17.3 years) were operated under standing sedation and epidural anesthesia. Median hospitalization period was 6.5 days (Q1-Q3 5 to 8.3 days). The anal margin was fully resected in 14 cases. A deep perirectal dissection was performed in 16 cases. Eight cases required additional local anesthetics. One case bled profusely during and after the procedure. One case became recumbent during the procedure, showed intense postoperative pain, and was eventually euthanized 6 weeks later because of ataxia. During hospitalization, one horse displayed colic signs and 10 others required manual evacuation of the rectum because of decreased fecal output. Complications after hospital discharge included mild colic signs (n = 4), partial wound dehiscence (n = 1) and hypergranulation of the wound (n = 2). All other cases healed without complications in 6 to 12 weeks. Median follow-up period was 11.8 months (Q1-Q3 6.3 to 27.2 months). Six horses developed new melanomas with only one in the perianal region. Conclusions: This technique of surgical excision of extensive perianal melanomas was efficiently performed on standing horses with minimal local recurrence. This procedure led to high client satisfaction. Early postoperative pain was commonly encountered. Owners should be warned of the potentially large surgical wound that will be created. Conclusions: This technique allowed for removal of large perianal melanomas with limited recurrence during the long term follow up and may improve the quality of life of affected horses.
© 2024 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2024-11-20 PubMed ID: 39568240DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14192Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Observational Study
  • Veterinary

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.

The research paper presents a surgical technique for removing large perianal melanomas in standing horses, detailing the procedure, complications, and results from twenty case studies.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research aims to provide a detailed account of a radical surgical procedure used to remove large perianal melanomas in horses. Large in this context refers to melanomas with a diameter of approximately 4 cm or more.
  • The procedures were conducted on a total of twenty client-owned horses, and the entire process was observational and retrospective.
  • The data collected includes demographic details such as the age of the horse, a description of the surgical technique, and a record of any complications either during or after the operation.

Results and Complications

  • All surgeries took place under standing sedation and epidural anesthesia. The median hospital stay after the operation was 6.5 days.
  • The complete removal of the anal margin was necessary in 14 of the 20 cases, and deep perirectal dissection was required in 16 cases.
  • Various complications occurred during and after the surgeries. These included one case of profuse bleeding during and after the procedure and one case of a horse that had to be euthanized approximately six weeks after the procedure due to intense pain and ataxia.
  • While hospitalized, 10 horses needed manual rectal evacuation due to decreased fecal output. One horse showed signs of colic (pain in the abdominal area).
  • There were post-discharge complications as well, including mild colic signs (observed in 4 horses), partial wound dehiscence (in 1 horse), and overgrowth of granulation tissue at the wound site (in 2 horses).

Conclusions

  • Despite these complications, the procedure was generally successful, with most horses healing without additional complications in 6 to 12 weeks. The median follow-up period was 11.8 months.
  • Six horses developed new melanomas during the follow-up period, but only one of these was in the perianal region, indicating a low recurrence rate for the operated area.
  • The authors conclude that the technique for surgically removing extensive perianal melanomas in horses is effective and results in minimal local recurrence. The procedure reported high client satisfaction, improved quality of life for the affected horses, but early postoperative pain was a common issue.
  • The authors advise that owners should be forewarned about the potentially large surgical wound that will be created during the procedure.

Cite This Article

APA
Robert MP, Buyck C, Tricaud C, Cousty M, Pujol R. (2024). Radical surgical excision of extensive perianal melanomas on standing horses: Twenty cases. Vet Surg, 54(2), 373-381. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14192

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 2
Pages: 373-381

Researcher Affiliations

Robert, Mickaël P
  • Center Hospitalier Vétérinaire Equin de Livet, Livarot Pays d'Auge, France.
Buyck, Camille
  • Center Hospitalier Vétérinaire Equin de Livet, Livarot Pays d'Auge, France.
Tricaud, Cyril
  • Center Hospitalier Vétérinaire Equin de Livet, Livarot Pays d'Auge, France.
Cousty, Matthieu
  • Center Hospitalier Vétérinaire Equin de Livet, Livarot Pays d'Auge, France.
Pujol, Raymond
  • Clinique Equine de Provence, Saint Cannat, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Melanoma / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Male
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Female
  • Anus Neoplasms / surgery
  • Anus Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Muresu Ibba GM, Poeta A, De Lorenzi G, Pupillo G, D'Annunzio G, Pezzarossi A, Bisceglia I, Mangone L. Melanoma in horses: distribution by sex, age, nationality, and slaughterhouse findings in 28 horses from Northern Italy. Vet Res Commun 2025 Oct 29;50(1):12.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-10921-7pubmed: 41160171google scholar: lookup
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