No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Plantar osteochondral fragments (POF) are common but their effect on joint health of young Standardbreds in race training is largely unknown. Objectives: Evaluate the inflammatory effects of POF in metatarsophalangeal joints of young Standardbreds as a step towards developing evidence-based recommendations for surgical removal. Study design: Cohort study. Methods: Forty-nine Standardbred horses (age 11-33 months) presented for surgical removal of POF from 56 metatarsophalangeal joints. Synovial tissue collected at arthroscopy was subjected to histopathology. IL-1β, TNFα, and PGE-2 were measured in synovial fluid using ELISA. Digital arthroscopy images were scored for inflammation. Racing performance data were retrieved from a public database.Results: Median time in race training prior to surgery was 8 weeks (IQR 4-12; range 0-40). There was minimal evidence of synovial inflammation as assessed by histopathology (median total score 2/20, IQR 0-2, range 0-5) or arthroscopy (median average total score 2.67/15, IQR 1.79-4, range 0-8.83). IL-1β was not detected in any sample. TNFα (median 0 pg/mL, IQR 0-0) and were measured at low levels. Weeks in training prior to surgery was associated with the number of starts in the season after surgery (incidence rate ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.04, P = .03). Main limitations:Small sample size from a single breed with a relatively short training time prior to surgery. Conclusions:There was minimal evidence of synovial inflammation in the metatarsophalangeal joints in this population of young Standardbred horses with POF. It is possible that POF may result in a different inflammatory response than other fragments because they are generally well-embedded in situ. These findings suggest that, in Standardbreds, race training can commence several weeks prior to surgical removal

Objective: To report our experience with partial arytenoidectomy in sedated standing horses. Study design: Retrospective study. Animals: Fourteen client-owned adult horses. Methods:The medical records (2013-2017) of horses treated with unilateral partial arytenoidectomy while standing and sedated were reviewed. Demographics, endoscopic findings, previous treatments, and outcome after surgery were investigated and recorded. Results: Thirteen horses had unilateral left-sided recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) and 1 horse had bilateral RLN. Five horses had a previous failed prosthetic laryngoplasty. Left-sided partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure was successfully completed in all horses under sedation and local anesthesia. Report of longterm outcome was obtained via telephone conversations for 12 horses, of which 9 also had an endoscopic reevaluation performed; 3 horses had granulomas at the surgical site, of which 2 eventually required a permanent tracheostomy. Nine horses returned to athletic use without respiratory noise, 2 horses returned to athletic use with noise during exercise that was reduced compared with preoperative levels, and 1 horse continued to be used as a broodmare. Conclusion: Partial arytenoidectomy in standing horses was achieved with adequate sedation and local anesthesia. Clinical significance: Partial arytenoidectomy on standing sedated horses could be considered as an alternative to eliminate the risks associated with general anesthesia. E. J. Secor is currently at