Closure of the Equine Nephrosplenic Space Using a Single LED Powered Trocar via Standing Mini-Laparotomy

Objective: To evaluate a technique using a custom-developed LED powered Single Port Trocar for closure of the nephrosplenic space via a standing mini-laparotomy. Design: Prospective case series. Animals: 60 client-owned horses with a history of nephrosplenic entrapment. Procedures: The nephrosplenic space was closed under direct visualization through a specifically designed LED powered Single Port Trocar in standing sedated horses having experienced recurrence or previous surgical correction of a nephrosplenic entrapment. Obliteration of the space was performed in a cranial to caudal direction in a simple continuous fashion. Time required for suturing the nephrosplenic space, as well as per and post-operative complications were recorded. Clients and referring veterinarians were asked to communicate any complication that occurred after discharge. Results: Surgical time ranged from 23 to 45 min. No complication except for self-limited spleen capsule bleeding occurred during the procedure. Minor wound discharge was noted in 2 cases, and another 2 horses developed post-surgical sweating patches close to the incision. All horses were allowed to progressively resume exercise, starting 1 month post discharge from the hospital. Cosmetic results were considered satisfactory and no recurrence of left dorsal displacement of the colon was reported post-surgery. Conclusions and clinical relevance: A Single Port LED powered Trocar is a technique that allows effective, fast, and safe closure of the nephrosplenic space in the standing horse with minimal instrumentation.

Clinical Use of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy(ESWT)for the Treatment of Carpus Valgus Deformities in Young Foals:A Retrospective Study of 64 Cases(2006-2009)

The purpose of this study was to report the use and assess the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of carpal joint valgus deformities (CJVDs) in young foals. Only foals with CJVDs greater than 5° were included in the study. Foals were assigned to 3 treatment groups based on their degree of CJVD measured during the initial evaluation: valgus deformity (VD) of 5° to 8.9° (Group 1), VD of 9° to 11.9° (Group 2) and VD greater than or equal to 12° (Group 3). ESWT was applied on the convex side of the angular deformity immediately following the initial radiographic evaluation. Foals were subsequently evaluated clinically and radiologically followed by treatment every 10 days until resolution of the VD, with resolution defined as a deviation less than 5 degrees. Each treatment group received specific exercise, hoof trimming and hoof/shoe extension recommendations. Sixty-four (64) foals were included in the study;ages ranged from 8 to 60 days old at inclusion in the study with a mean age of 26.7 days. Of the 28 foals included in Group 1, 10 had bilateral CJVD. There were 21 in Group 2, and 15 in Group 3. Treatment success was defined as a VD angle less than 5°, and was reached in all foals in Groups 1 and 2. Five (5) foals in Group 3 completed the study with a VD angle of 5° to 6.7° at the last radiographic assessment. No major complications were observed during the study. In conclusion, ESWT in conjunction with controlled exercise, hoof trimming and hoof/shoe extensions corrected severe CJVDs in young foals. The use of ESWT eliminates possible negative side effects of general anesthesia and surgical techniques to treat VDs. Future studies should include a control population, more severe cases, other types of angular limb deformities, and older foals.