Tenosynoviotomy for sepsis of the digital flexor tendon sheath in 9 horses.
Abstract: To describe a tenosynoviotomy technique for treatment of sepsis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) in horses and report long-term outcome. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 9). Methods: Horses were positioned in lateral recumbency with the affected limb uppermost. A linear incision was made just lateral to the mesotenon beginning 5 cm proximal to the apices of the proximal sesamoid bones, extending 2 cm distal to the bifurcation of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). The incision was continued through the skin, subcutaneous tissue, palmar/plantar annular ligament, and DFTS. Tenotomy of the distal lateral branch of the SDFT was also performed. The site was thoroughly debrided, lavaged, and packed with gauze and allowed to heal by second intention. Follow-up was obtained via owner telephone interview. Results: Mean surgery time was 32 minutes (range, 10-64 minutes). Systemic antibiotics were administered postoperatively (range, 11-46 days; mean, 23 days). Mean hospitalization was 11 days (range, 0-49 days). Follow-up was available for 7 (70%) horses. One year postoperatively, 5 (71%) horses were serviceable for their intended use, and 2 (29%) had been euthanatized. Of 5 survivors, 3 returned to ridden exercise, 1 was retired as a broodmare, and 1 was a broodmare. All owners were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of the surgery site. Conclusions: Open drainage via tenosynoviotomy, performed as a salvage procedure, represents a feasible treatment for DFTS sepsis.
© Copyright 2012 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2012-11-19 PubMed ID: 23164091DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2012.01033.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article discusses the efficacy of a surgical procedure called tenosynoviotomy for treating sepsis (infection) in the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) of horses and shares long-term outcomes of the 9 horses who underwent the procedure.
Methods
- The procedure involves positioning the horse with the affected limb uppermost and making a linear incision along its leg to access the DFTS.
- The incision begins 5 cm above the apices of the proximal sesamoid bones and extends 2 cm beyond the bifurcation of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT).
- The researchers also cut through the subcutaneous tissue, palmar/plantar annular ligament, and the DFTS itself.
- A tenotomy, or surgical cutting of a tendon, is performed on the distal lateral branch of the SDFT.
- The surgical site is then thoroughly cleaned, lavaged (irrigated), and packed with gauze to allow it to heal via secondary intention (i.e., the wound edges stay open while new tissue gradually fills the wound).
- Follow-up was done via telephone interviews with the horses’ owners.
Results
- The average duration of the surgery was found to be 32 minutes, with a range of 10 to 64 minutes.
- The horses received systemic antibiotics postoperatively for an average of 23 days, with the duration ranging between 11 to 46 days.
- The average hospitalization period was 11 days, with a range of 0 to 49 days.
- From a year after surgery, follow-up data showed that 5 out of 7 horses (71%) were able to resume their intended activities. Unfortunately, 2 horses (29%) had to be euthanized.
- Out of the 5 horses that survived, 3 returned to ridden exercise, 1 was retired as a broodmare, and 1 continued as a broodmare.
- All the owners were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of the surgical site.
Conclusion
- The researchers concluded that the tenosynoviotomy procedure could be an effective treatment for horses suffering from DFTS sepsis. This procedure serves as a salvage therapy, offering hope for recovery where other treatments might fail or be less effective.
Cite This Article
APA
Mc Nally TP, Slone DE, Hughes FE, Lynch TM.
(2012).
Tenosynoviotomy for sepsis of the digital flexor tendon sheath in 9 horses.
Vet Surg, 42(1), 114-118.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2012.01033.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital, Ocala, FL 34474, USA. turloughmcnally@hotmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Bacterial Infections / pathology
- Bacterial Infections / surgery
- Bacterial Infections / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Tenosynovitis / microbiology
- Tenosynovitis / pathology
- Tenosynovitis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Haltmayer E, Schwendenwein I, Licka TF. Course of serum amyloid A (SAA) plasma concentrations in horses undergoing surgery for injuries penetrating synovial structures, an observational clinical study. BMC Vet Res 2017 May 22;13(1):137.
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