Ceratohyoidectomy in standing sedated horses.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Equine Medicine
• Neurology

Background:

• Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) is a degenerative condition affecting the hyoid apparatus in horses.
• Clinical signs of THO can include facial nerve paralysis, vestibular dysfunction, and dysphagia.
• Surgical intervention, such as ceratohyoidectomy (CHE), is often considered for managing THO.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and potential complications of standing ceratohyoidectomy (CHE) in horses.
• To assess the efficacy of CHE in resolving clinical signs associated with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO).
• To compare outcomes in experimental horses and clinical cases undergoing standing CHE.

Main Methods:

• A case series approach was employed, including six experimental horses and four clinical cases.
• Standing CHE was performed on all horses under sedation.
• Clinical outcomes and complications were monitored through examinations and telephone interviews.

Main Results:

• The standing CHE procedure was successfully completed in all participating horses.
• No short-term postoperative complications were observed in experimental horses.
• Clinical cases demonstrated improvement in THO signs, with vestibular ataxia resolving rapidly and facial nerve paralysis improving over weeks to months.

Conclusions:

• Standing ceratohyoidectomy (CHE) is a consistently feasible and safe surgical technique for horses with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO).
• The procedure effectively resolves clinical manifestations of THO, including neurological deficits.
• Standing CHE offers a viable alternative to general anesthesia, particularly for horses with significant vestibular compromise.