Complications Following Nictitating Membrane Resection in Horses: 92 Eyes (2015-2024)
Tiantian Wu1, Darko Stefanovski1, Nicole M Scherrer1
1Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Objective:
The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the complications following nictitating membrane resection in horses with the aim of providing valuable information on the risks of this surgical procedure.
Animals:
83 horses (92 eyes).
Procedures:
Medical records for 83 horses that underwent nictitating membrane resection in 92 eyes between February 2015 and June 2024 were reviewed. Horses were included if they had at least 1 month of follow-up data available. Owners were contacted via telephone or email questionnaire to obtain follow-up information. Complications were recorded only when present in the surgical eye and not in the contralateral eye. Owner-reported findings were included only when they were persistent at the time of follow-up or noted beyond the immediate postoperative period (> 1 week).
Results:
The overall owner reported complication rate was 28.2% (26/92). Complications that occurred within 1 week of surgery were fat prolapse (n = 4; 4.3%) and hemorrhage (n = 1; 1.1%). Long-term complications noted by owners included epiphora (n = 21; 22.8%) and conjunctivitis (n = 9; 9.8%). The incidence of fat prolapse was low, with no cases reported when sutures were placed (p = 0.80). There were follow-up examinations performed for 39 horses and 23.1% had complications. These included epiphora (n = 4; 10.3%), conjunctival adhesion (n = 1; 2.6%), fat prolapse (n = 2; 5.1%), and enophthalmos (n = 2; 5.1%).
Clinical Relevance:
Overall complications reported by owners and found on examination were minor and easily managed. Chronic mild epiphora is the most common complication that persists after the nictitating membrane resection procedure and should be reviewed with owners.
