Treatment of septic common digital extensor tenosynovitis by complete resection in seven horses.

The research study focuses on a surgical technique for the complete removal of the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in horses dealing with septic tenosynovitis. The study found that all of the seven treated horses, after surgery and adequate post-operative care, returned to their usual athletic performance with no signs of lameness or change in gait.

Study Methodology

• Seven horses, owned by clients, participated in the prospective clinical study.
• All these horses had wounds leading to septic tenosynovitis of the CDET sheath.
• The entire damaged tendon and part of the tendon sheath were surgically removed. Five horses had previously undergone unsuccessful surgeries.
• The timeline between the initial injury and the complete resection varied between 1 to 22 weeks.
• In six cases, the wound after surgery got closed primarily: four by a closed suction, one by penrose, and one by passive open drainage. However, in one case, the wound healed naturally or by second intention.
• Every horse received postoperative bandaging, antibiotic treatment, and physiotherapy care.

Study Results

• Most of the surgical wounds (6 out of 7) healed primarily, and one wound healed by second intention.
• The researchers conducted a follow up ranging from 18 to 38 months (with an average of 26.4 months). The follow-up results were available for six horses.
• All six horses returned to their previous level of athletic performance without any signs of lameness or change in their gait.

Study Conclusions

• The technique of completely removing the CDET proved successful in managing chronic septic tenosynovitis in horses.
• Horses that had an infection in the CDET and its sheath regained their long-term health and showed no abnormalities in their gait after radical resection.