Sternal bone biopsy in standing horses.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a technique for sternal bone biopsy in standing horses.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Five adult horses.


METHODS
Horses were restrained in a standing stocks and sedated. The sternal biopsy site, identified by ultrasonographic examination, was clipped and prepared for aseptic surgery and infiltrated with local anesthetic. An electric bone biopsy drill (Osteocore; Institut Straumann AG, CH-4437, Waldenburg, Switzerland)), which yielded 4-mm-diameter bone specimens, was used to obtain sternal biopsies through a small skin incision. Sections (7 microm) of the bone specimens were stained with toluidine blue and Goldner's green trichrome and observed microscopically to determine suitability for histological and histomorphometric evaluation.


RESULTS
The most suitable sternal biopsy site was at the 4th or 5th sternebra. The surgical procedure was easy to perform and well tolerated by the horses, and adequate samples were obtained on the first attempt. The only complications were incisional edema in all horses and wound drainage in 1 horse.


CONCLUSIONS
Sternal bone biopsy may be successfully performed in standing horses, and the technique described in this report yields architecturally intact bone specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
The sternum is an accessible site for cancellous bone biopsy specimens in standing horses.
Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.
C
C
Désévaux
S
S
Laverty
B
B
Doizé
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D011187:Posture; D013249:Sternum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography