Treatment of septic common digital extensor tenosynovitis by complete resection in seven horses.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and evaluate a technique for radical resection of the entire intrathecal component of the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in horses.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Seven client-owned horses.


METHODS
Seven horses with wounds that resulted in septic tenosynovitis of the CDET sheath were treated by complete surgical resection of the affected tendon and ablation of the tendon sheath; 5 had previous surgery that was unsuccessful. Time from initial injury to complete resection was 1-22 weeks. In 6 horses, the wound was closed primarily using a closed suction (4 horses), penrose (1), or passive open drainage system (1). In 1 horse, the surgical wound healed by second intention. All horses had postoperative bandaging, antibiotic administration, and physiotherapy.


RESULTS
Surgical wounds healed primarily in 6 horses and by second intention in 1 horse. Follow-up (mean, 26.4 months; range, 18-38 months) was available for 6 horses; all returned to their athletic performance level without lameness or gait abnormality.


CONCLUSIONS
Complete resection of the CDET was an effective surgical technique for management of chronic septic tenosynovitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Horses with infection of the CDET and its sheath may be returned to long-term soundness without gait abnormality after radical resection.
Booth
Todd M
TM
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Large Animal Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Roslin Midlothian, Scotland. tbooth@staffmail.ed.ac.uk
Abbot
John
J
Clements
Antony
A
Singer
Ellen R
ER
Clegg
Peter D
PD
D000818:Animals; D002350:Carpus, Animal / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014945:Wound Healing