title: Outcome after lacerations of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, suspensory ligament and/or distal sesamoidean ligaments in 106 horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report outcome after the surgical treatment of lacerations of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), suspensory ligament (SL), and/or distal sesamoidean ligaments (DSL) in horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses (n=106) with lacerations of the SDFT, DDFT, SL, and/or DSL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (1988-2002) were reviewed for signalment, limb and tendon/ligament involvement (location and extent of injury, tendon sheath involvement), method of repair, and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age of horses was 7 years and the follow-up time ranged from 1 to 10 years. Fifty-five percent of horses returned to their previous level of performance, 27% to a lower level, and 18% were euthanatized. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that the number of structures transected had the most significant influence on outcome. No significant association was detected between outcome and tendon sheath involvement, tendon suturing, casting, or limb affected. Fetlock hyperextension was the most significant complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high survival rate can be expected after SDFT, DDFT, SL, and/or DSL lacerations in horses, but only 55% of affected horses returned to their previous activity level. The number of structures affected was the major factor determining whether horses returned to an equal level of performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mireia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jordana
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wilderjans
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boswell
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dewulf
authors.forename: Roger K W
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D022125:Lacerations / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome