Subtotal ostectomy of impinging dorsal spinous processes in 23 standing horses.

The research studies a surgical procedure called subtotal ostectomy (SO), performed on standing horses to treat impinging dorsal spinal processes (DSPs). The technique was found to be safe and efficient, with most horses returning to full athletic function post-surgery.

Research Objective

• The main aim of this research was to describe a secure and efficient surgical procedure for subtotal ostectomy (SO) of impinging dorsal spinous processes (DSPs).
• The study also sought to report the outcomes of this surgical technique on the affected horses.

Methods

• The researchers worked with a case series of 23 horses displaying reduced athletic performance due to impingement of the DSPs of the caudal thoracic vertebrae.
• The surgical procedure involved the resection of the affected DSPs through a dorsal median incision, with the horse standing, sedated, and the surgical area desensitized using a local anesthetic.
• Radiography was used post-surgery to verify the successful removal of the impinging bone before closing the wound.

Results

• The surgical procedure did not lead to any serious complications.
• Outcome details were available for 22 out of 23 horses.
• Within a year of surgery, 86% of the horses returned to complete athletic functionality, while 9% showed improvement but did not achieve full function. One horse did not display any improvement.
• At follow up after a year, two horses that initially returned to full function could no longer perform at full capacity. One of the two displayed improvement, while the other did not show any improvement.
• One horse displayed improved athletic function six months post-surgery, but at a two-and-a-half-year mark, was no better than before the surgery.

Conclusion

• The research concluded that the subtotal ostectomy of impinging DSPs can be performed with satisfactory results and with the horse standing.