Recent advances in standing equine orthopedic surgery

Area of Science:

• Equine surgery
• Veterinary orthopedics

Background:

• Patient compliance is crucial for standing equine surgeries.
• Certain fractures and conditions are not suitable for standing procedures.
• Young or unhandled horses may pose challenges for standing treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight limitations of standing equine surgery.
• To identify specific conditions not amenable to standing fixation.
• To emphasize factors influencing surgical approach selection.

Main Methods:

• Review of surgical indications and contraindications for standing equine procedures.
• Consideration of patient temperament and specific fracture types.
• Evaluation of anesthetic versus standing surgical options.

Main Results:

• Fractures of the third metacarpal/metatarsal condyles and sagittal first phalanx fractures are not suitable for standing internal fixation.
• Standing surgery for septic pedal osteitis or transphyseal screw procedures may be contraindicated in young or unhandled horses.
• Operator experience and knowledge of anatomic landmarks are vital for standing procedures.

Conclusions:

• Careful patient selection and procedure assessment are essential for successful equine surgery.
• General anesthesia may be a safer and more effective option for specific orthopedic conditions in horses.
• Expertise in both standing and general anesthesia techniques is beneficial for equine surgeons.