Summary Uterine rupture is a well recognised and potentially fatal complication in the peripartum broodmare. This case report describes a 16 month history of infertility as the sole clinical sign in a Thoroughbred mare, subsequently diagnosed with a full thickness uterine tear. The clinical course, standing laparoscopically assisted repair and outcome are discussed.

ObjectiveTo assess racing performance of National Hunt thoroughbred (NH) racehorses with a definite diagnosis of palatal dysfunction treated with a laryngeal tie‐forward procedure (LTF) and soft palate cautery (SPC) with or without transendoscopic laser excision of the aryepiglottic folds (TLEAF) and to determine correlation between performance measures.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsNational Hunt racehorses treated with LTF, SPC ± TLEAF (n = 44) and nonaffected controls (n = 88).MethodsPerformance was evaluated by using Racing Post ratings (RPR), race earnings (RE), and performance index (PIndex). Affected horses were compared with nonaffected horses. The effect of TLEAF and correlations between measures were analyzed.ResultsRacing Post rating, RE and PIndex improved by 50%, 26%, and 12% in treated, and by 50%, 39%, and 24% in control horses, respectively, when measurements were evaluated for the median of three presurgical and postsurgical races. Lower postsurgical performance was detected when five postsurgical races were compared with two presurgical races (P ≤ .03). The number of postsurgical earnings rated at zero was greater in treated horses than in control horses (P < .05). Race earnings and RPR correlated more strongly (r = 0.634‐0.796) than PIndex and other measures (r = 0.378‐0.692).ConclusionPostsurgical performance of NH racehorses with palatal dysfunction after LTF and SPC ± TLEAF was decreased compared with unaffected controls. The negative effect of TLEAF on performance was detected.Clinical significanceAlthough LTF is widely performed in NH racehorses, it may not be the most efficient treatment for palatal dysfunction.

Objective To describe a dorsoproximal midline (DPM) standing technique for proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) injection and to compare it to established dorsolateral flexed (DLF), palmaroproximal (PP), and dorsolateral standing (DLS) techniques. Study design Ex vivo study. Sample population Sixty cadaver equine thoracic limbs. Methods Limbs were divided into four groups (n = 15 each group), DLF, DPM, PP, and DLS. For each technique, three operators injected radiopaque contrast and methylene blue into the PIPJ in five limbs. The number of attempts required was recorded. Successful injection was confirmed by radiographic presence of contrast media within the PIPJ. Iatrogenic cartilage damage was assessed by gross examination. Statistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon signed‐rank test (P < .05). Results The overall success rates were 86.6% to 93.3%. Although there was no difference in success rate, the frequency of needle repositioning was influenced by injection technique (P = .009). Dorsolateral standing had the highest mean ± SD value of attempts required to insert the needle in the joint space (2.62 ± 1.94). Injection technique influenced cartilage damage (P = .025), with the highest frequency recorded for DLS. Conclusion All four techniques for injecting the PIPJ were highly successful; DLS was associated with the highest number of needle repositionings and the highest incidence of iatrogenic injury to cartilage. Clinical significance Dorsolateral flexed should be considered as an alternative to the DLS technique to reduce iatrogenic cartilage injury when injecting the PIPJ. Dorsoproximal midline and DLF techniques have success rates comparable to traditional techniques, with lower incidence of iatrogenic cartilage damage in cadaver limbs.

Summary Right recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is an uncommon, acquired disease for which the aetiology can frequently be diagnosed. Numerous aetiologies have been proposed for right‐sided RLN which comprises 2% of all cases of RLN. In this report we discuss the clinical course, treatment and outcome following right‐sided laryngeal paralysis as a complication of left‐sided prosthetic laryngoplasty in a horse. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of such a surgical complication.

Objective To determine current methods of arthroscopic skills training and proficiency assessment, identify skills considered fundamental to arthroscopy, and evaluate desire for a formal training and assessment program. Study design Anonymized electronic survey. Sample population Diplomates and residents of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS). Methods An electronic survey was distributed in commercial software (Qualtrics, Provo, Utah). Questions were divided into 4 categories: (1) demographics, (2) arthroscopy experience, (3) teaching, and (4) proficiency assessment. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Comparisons between groups were performed by using χ2, t tests, and 1‐way ANOVA (P ≤ .05). Results In total, 429 diplomates and 149 residents responded (response rate 28%). Overall, 80% of respondents trained using clinical cases. Barriers to simulator training included cadaver/simulator availability and time. Skills deemed most fundamental included anatomic knowledge, precise portal placement, triangulation, and image orientation. Overall, 90% of respondents supported a formal training program with requirement to demonstrate proficiency; 80% believed this should be part of standard ACVS/ECVS residency training. Conclusion Arthroscopic skills are taught by using clinical cases, with subjective proficiency assessment. Fundamental skills are those that may be taught using simulators. There is enthusiasm for formal arthroscopic skills training and assessment. Clinical significance Improved acquisition and assessment of fundamental arthroscopic skills is indicated. A validated methodology for formal training using simulators, minimizing morbidity, and facilitating objective evaluation is warranted. This is the first phase of a project to develop and validate a simulator program.