Surgical implications of extensibility of the skin of the equine carpus.

The research investigates skin extensibility over the horse’s wrist (carpus), finding that direction of surgical incision is significant, especially when the wrist is mobile, and should follow the identified lines of maximum skin extensibility.

Methodology

• The experimental aspect of the study was conducted on five horses, with seven wrist areas (carpi) studied.
• Round puncture wounds were made 2.0 cm apart over the area of the carpus, a method used to analyze the direction of skin elongation.
• The results were observed, documented, and photographed for further analysis.

Findings

• The study found the lines of maximum extensibility on the carpus skin go from proximal to distal, except over the accessory carpal bone where a state of anisotropism (having properties that differ according to the direction of measurement) was found.
• This information has implications for surgical practices around the carpus. When the wrist is immobile, the incision direction is not as crucial. However, in a mobile carpus, the incision should ideally run parallel to the lines of maximum extensibility.

Surgical Implications

• The research recommends specific practices for making surgical incisions on the various surfaces of the carpus. On the dorsal, lateral, and medial surfaces, incisions should run parallel to the lines of maximum skin extensibility.
• Meanwhile, on the palmar side of the carpus, the incision could run in either a curved or straight line, suggesting different skin properties or extensibility patterns on this side.
• Overall, this research is valuable for veterinary surgeons who perform procedures around horses’ carpal region as it provides insights into how to cut with the skin’s natural properties to improve healing and reduce complications.