Techniques and Indications for Intraoperative Ultrasound in Horses

To describe our experience using intraoperative ultrasound for various conditions in horses.

Retrospective case series.

Horses (n=113).

Medical records including surgical reports at 2 equine hospitals (2007-2013) were reviewed to identify ultrasound-assisted surgeries. The diagnosis, reasons for using intraoperative ultrasound, the technique employed, and the surgical procedure performed (e.g., synovial endoscopy, cut-down, resection, dissection, curettage, and implant placement/removal) were recorded for each surgery. Intraoperative ultrasound was used to mark the optimal site for skin incision or to guide instrumentation within the tissues. The incision site was marked on the skin with staples. Depth soundings were taken on the ultrasound, using the caliper-measuring tool to facilitate dissection. For each surgery, the primary specialist surgeon (ACVS or ECVS) retrospectively recorded whether intraoperative ultrasound was helpful, unhelpful, or harmful.

Intraoperative ultrasound was rated helpful in 105/113 (93%) of surgeries, unhelpful in 7/113 (6%), and harmful in 1/113 (1%) of surgeries.

Intraoperative ultrasound can be a useful adjunct to surgical techniques for various conditions in horses.