Performance of Warmblood horses following tenoscopic desmotomy of the main part of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon for treatment of tendinopathy: 62 cases.

Background: Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (AL-SDFT) has been described for the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tendinopathy in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, and in event horses. To our knowledge, the outcome of this procedure has not been described in a population of warmblood horses.

Objective: To report on the outcome of treatment of SDFT tendinopathy in warmblood horses using tenoscopic desmotomy of the main part of the AL-SDFT.

A novel transcoronal surgical technique for the treatment of cystic lesions of the distal phalanx: A cadaveric study.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of a novel transcoronal approach for the treatment of axial type 3 cysts of the palmar/plantar aspect of the distal phalanx (P3).

Study Design: Ex vivo, experimental study.

Sample Population: Ten cadaveric specimens, four forelimbs and six hindlimbs.

Castration in the standing horse combining laparoscopic and conventional techniques.

Background: Standing laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy has been shown to be a reliable method of castration in animals with abdominal cryptorchidism, but it cannot be recommended as a method of castration in those with inguinal cryptorchidism or normal males. An alternative laparoscopic method for the castration of horses with descended testes was developed.

Objectives: To report the results of laparoscopy-assisted abdominal transection of the spermatic cord and a modified open method in the standing horse for castration of descended testes in unilateral abdominal cryptorchids.

How securely is the testicular artery occluded in the spermatic cord by using a ligature?

Reasons For Performing Study: There are no studies on the ideal ligature technique for the spermatic cord.

Objectives: To compare the maximal resistance pressure in the testicular artery and the maximal tensile forces to produce failure of 2 different ligature techniques used for ligation of the equine spermatic cord.

Methods: The capabilities of 2 types of ligatures, single knot loop and double knot loop, were assessed using a pressure-resistance test in testicular arteries and with an in vitro mechanical evaluation of the tensile strength by single cycle-to-failure testing.

Unilateral and bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy in 157 mares: a retrospective multicenter study.

Objective: To evaluate surgical techniques, perioperative complications and outcome of laparoscopic surgery for unilateral and bilateral ovariectomy in mares.

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter case series.

Animals: Mares (n = 157).

Management and outcome of fractures of the distal phalanx: a retrospective study of 285 horses with a long term outcome in 223 cases.

A multicentre study of 285 cases was performed to enhance the management of distal phalangeal fractures on the basis of clinical evidence. The outcome after treatment was available for 223 of the cases. Horses with a non-articular type I fracture had a better prognosis (91.

Kinematic analysis of equine masticatory movements: comparison before and after routine dental treatment.

The objective of this study was to compare masticatory movements before and after dental treatment using kinematic analysis. The masticatory movements of 15 adult Warmblood horses with mild dental pathology chewing standardised hay were recorded on three consecutive days before and three times after (days 7, 21, 28) dental correction. The results of the leading mandibular tracking marker, located at the caudal edge of the inter-mandibular suture, were compared statistically.

Surgical thrombectomy in horses with aortoiliac thrombosis: 17 cases.

Reasons For Performing Study: Aortoiliac thrombosis (AIT) is a progressive vascular disease characterised by an exercise-induced hindlimb lameness. After developing a surgical technique, a follow-up study was required.

Objectives: To assess the surgical results of a surgical thrombectomy in horses with AIT, a chronic arterial occlusive disease of the aorta and its caudal arteries.

Clinical efficacy of local administration of ceftiofur in a Staphylococcus aureus infection in tissue cages in ponies.

Ceftiofur concentrations in an infected and uninfected environment were compared and the efficacy of locally administered ceftiofur was evaluated in an experimental infection with Staphylococcus aureus in tissue cages. Eight ponies had tissue cages (TCs) implanted s.c.

The complex blood supply to the equine testis as a cause of failure in laparoscopic castration.

Reasons For Performing Study: Intra-abdominal ligation/ transection of the spermatic cord may result in necrosis of the testis; castration of abdominal cryptorchids via laparoscopy has therefore become common. Notwithstanding some adaptations of the technique, a small percentage of operations fail, prompting research into the anatomical background and clinical relevance of the procedure.

Hypothesis: That an alternate blood supply may prevent complete necrosis of the testis after spermatic cord transection.

Accuracy of diagnostic arthroscopy for the assessment of cartilage damage in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint.

Reasons For Performing Study: There are many noninvasive diagnostic methods used for evaluating chronic progressive joint disease, but each has severe limitations in the detection of early articular cartilage damage.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of arthroscopy as a diagnostic method for the assessment of the severity of cartilage surface damage on the proximal articular margin of the equine first phalanx (P1).

Hypothesis: That arthroscopic assessment of the visible cartilage provides 1) a good indication of the integrity of the cartilage surface and 2) a good estimation of the status of the cartilage surface of the entire articular area of P1.

[Malignant melanoma of the pelvis as a possible cause of pelvic limb lameness in two gray mares].

Two grey mares, a 12-year-old Arabian and a 13-year-old Lippizaner cross, were referred for chronic pelvic limb lameness and abduction of the limb during the non supporting phase of the stride. The clinical examination revealed melanomas under the tail and on the perineum, and oedema of the proximal lame limb. A mass in the pelvic area was detected on rectal palpation.

Hormonal, metabolic and physiological effects of laparoscopic surgery using a detomidine-buprenorphine combination in standing horses.

Objective: To assess the hormonal, metabolic and physiological effects of laparascopic surgery performed under a sedative analgesic combination of detomidine and buprenorphine in standing horses.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Animals: Eight healthy adult Dutch Warmblood horses and five healthy adult ponies undergoing laparoscopy were studied.

Hormonal, metabolic and physiological effects of laparoscopic surgery using a detomidine-buprenorphine combination in standing horses.

Objective: To assess the hormonal, metabolic and physiological effects of laparascopic surgery performed under a sedative analgesic combination of detomidine and buprenorphine in standing horses.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Animals: Eight healthy adult Dutch Warmblood horses and five healthy adult ponies undergoing laparoscopy were studied.

A study on the pathogenesis of equine sesamoiditis: the effects of experimental occlusion of the sesamoidean artery.

In this study the potential role of circulatory disturbances in the pathogenesis of sesamoiditis was investigated by studying the clinical and histological effects of experimental occlusion of the sesamoidean artery, which is the main nutrient artery of the proximal sesamoid bone (PSB). For this purpose, five adult Dutch Warmblood horses were used in which the sesamoidean artery was occluded with polyvinyl alcohol foam particles. Bone labelling was carried out with oxytetracycline and calcein.

[Hematogenous (suspected-)septic inflammation of the synovial fossa in the adult horse: rare but deceptive (3 case reports)].

Septic inflammation of the synovial fossa in the horse is a severe disorder that can lead to permanent invalidity. The synovitis can occur as a result of a perforating trauma, or via the blood (haematogenous). The latter route is rare in the adult horse.

Clinical experiences of treating septic arthritis in the equine by repeated joint lavage: a series of 39 cases.

The condition of septic arthritis was treated in 12 foals with 21 affected joints (Group I) and in 27 adult horses. The adult horses were divided into three groups, based on aetiology of the condition: haematogenous (Group II, n = 6), iatrogenic (Group III, n = 6), and perforating trauma (Group IV, n = 15). The treatment consisted of an initial systemic antibiotic that anticipated the microbial agents that were considered most likely per group, repeated through-and-through joint lavages every other day and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The use of a polypropylene mesh for treatment of ruptured collateral ligaments of the equine metatarsophalangeal joint: a report of two cases.

The prognosis of ruptured collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joint in horses is usually considered to be poor, especially for future athletic performance. The main problem is the development, due to joint instability, of osteoarthritis, which may result in persistent lameness. In this paper a surgical technique is described in which joint stabilisation is realised by using a polypropylene mesh as a substitute for the ruptured ligaments, with the subsequent application of a cast for 7 weeks.

[Navicular disease in the hind limb of a Warmblood horse].

A 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare was admitted to the clinic with a 1-month history of lameness of the left hind leg. After clinical and radiological examinations and an bursascopy, the diagnosis navicular disease was made. The therapy consisted of stallrest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and orthopaedic shoeing plus intrabursal injections of short-acting corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid.

Innervation of the equine mature and immature proximal sesamoid bone by calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P-containing nerves.

Objective: To localize and determine relative frequency of occurrence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) fibers in the proximal sesamoid bones (PSB) and adjacent structures in sound horses.

Sample Population: 4 foals and 3 adult horses.

Procedure: Medial PSB and adjacent ligaments of both forelimbs were collected, flushed, and fixed in buffered 4% formalin.

Experimental model of synovitis/capsulitis in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint.

Objective: To develop and define a model of acute synovitis/capsulitis in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint (fetlock) to study clinical effects of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Animals: 5 adult Standardbreds.

Procedure: Polyvinyl alcohol foam particles were injected into the left front fetlock of horses; the right front fetlock was used as a control.

Reconstruction of the jugular vein in horses with post thrombophlebitis stenosis using saphenous vein graft.

A surgical technique is described in which a saphenous vein graft is used to reconstruct the jugular vein in horses with facial oedema due to post thrombophlebitic stenosis of the jugular vein. The saphenous vein was harvested from the contralateral limb and implanted in the occluded vein by 2 side-to-end anastomoses. Intra- and post operatively anticoagulative medication was administered.

In vitro determination of equine third metacarpal bone unloading, using a full limb cast and a walking cast.

Objective: To improve fracture treatment, in vitro experiments were performed to study the influence of a full limb cast and a walking cast on the loading regimen of bones in the distal portion of the equine forelimb.

Animals: 6 forelimbs of 6 Shetland ponies.

Procedure: Loading of the third metacarpal bone was considered a representative measure for distal limb loading.