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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Surg / Single-incision percutaneous drilling technique to achieve h...
Veterinary surgery : VS2020; 49(5); 940-946; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13418

Single-incision percutaneous drilling technique to achieve hemiepiphysiodesis of the distal metacarpus in foals with metacarpophalangeal varus deformities.

Abstract: To describe a drilling technique for hemiepiphysiodesis of the distal lateral metacarpal physis and report the outcome of treated foals. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Eleven thoroughbred foals. Methods: While horses were under general anesthesia, the lateral aspect of the distal metacarpal physis was approached through a single small incision by using a power drill. The drill bit was placed at the level of the physis under radiographic guidance. A 4.5-mm drill bit was passed several times through the lateral growth plate to remove the cartilage in a fan-like pattern. Postoperative outcomes consisted of clinical assessment and farm manager/owner satisfaction. Cosmetics and radiographic appearance of the surgical site were assessed when the horses were yearlings. Results: The procedure was performed in 16 limbs of 11 thoroughbred foals with a median age of 113.5 days (range, 90-129). Median age at postoperative follow-up was 422 days (range, 366 to 452). The procedure stopped the progression of a metacarpophalangeal varus deformity in all the limbs treated, determined by visual clinical evaluation and farm manager's satisfaction with subjectively excellent radiographic images and cosmetic outcomes at yearling age. Conclusions: Physis ablation was consistently achieved in these 11 foals with developing growth deformities of the distal metacarpus. Conclusions: This drilling technique may offer a minimally invasive, safe, and simple technique to manage distal limb conformation in foals without placement of implants. Additional quantitative data are required to assess its effectiveness relative to other options.
© 2020 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-27 PubMed ID: 32342545DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13418Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 presents a method of dealing with limb deformities in foals through a minimally invasive, safe, and simple drilling technique that doesn’t require the use of implants. The procedure proved to correct a common type of deformity, metacarpophalangeal varus, in all 11 foals treated.

Monodic Perspective and Thesis

The study introduces a unique drilling procedure for managing distal limb deformities in foals, specifically referred to as hemiepiphysiodesis of the distal lateral metacarpal physis. Utilizing a singular small incision approach, the research clinically analyzes results from a group of eleven thoroughbred foals.

Methods and Procedure

  • Eleven thoroughbred foals, exhibiting symptoms of varus deformities, were put under general anesthesia for the surgery.
  • A single small incision was made on the lateral aspect of the distal metacarpal physis.
  • Using a power drill and a 4.5-mm drill bit, the cartilage was removed from the growth plate in a fan-like pattern under radiographic guidance.
  • The operation’s success was assessed based on the clinical assessment and the satisfaction of the farm manager or owner. This was further evaluated by the cosmetic and radiographic appearance of the surgical site when the horses were yearlings.

Outcome and Conclusions

  • The procedure was performed on 16 limbs from the selected group of foals, who had a median age of 113.5 days.
  • The follow-up was conducted at a median age of 422 days post-operation.
  • The results indicated that the operation effectively halted the progression of the metacarpophalangeal varus deformity in all treated limbs, as affirmed by visual clinical evaluation and farm manager’s satisfaction subsuming subjectively excellent radiographic images and cosmetic results at yearling age.
  • The researchers infer that their drilling technique consistently achieved physis ablation, deterred the advancement of conformational abnormality, and can act as a minimally invasive, safe, and straightforward method to manage distal limb conformation in foals without implants.
  • Despite the promising results, the study acknowledges the needs for additional quantitative data to measure its effectiveness compared to other options.

Cite This Article

APA
Dubois BB, Rodgerson DH. (2020). Single-incision percutaneous drilling technique to achieve hemiepiphysiodesis of the distal metacarpus in foals with metacarpophalangeal varus deformities. Vet Surg, 49(5), 940-946. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13418

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 5
Pages: 940-946

Researcher Affiliations

Dubois, Benjamin B
  • Marion Dupont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Tech, Leesburg, Virginia.
Rodgerson, Dwayne H
  • Davidson Surgery Center, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arthrodesis / methods
  • Arthrodesis / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / congenital
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Metacarpal Bones / surgery
  • Metacarpus / abnormalities
  • Metacarpus / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies

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