Indwelling cephalic or saphenous vein catheter use for regional limb perfusion in 44 horses with synovial injury involving the distal aspect of the limb.
OBJECTIVE
To describe indwelling cephalic or saphenous vein catheter use for intravenous regional limb perfusion (ID-IV-RLP) to treat horses with synovial injury (contamination/infection) of the distal aspect of the limb.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Horses (n = 44; 45 limbs) treated with proximal ID-IV-RLP.


METHODS
Horses had ID-IV-RLP using a cephalic (21 limbs) or saphenous (24 limbs) vein. Amikacin was the most frequently used antibiotic. Number of perfusions ranged from 3 to 21 (median 7). A cast was applied to 14 injured limbs (1 tube cast, 1 full-limb cast, 2 foot casts, and 10 half-limb casts).


RESULTS
Synovial sepsis of the distal portion of 87% of limbs (39) resolved, and 61% of horses returned to soundness. Catheter-related complications occurred in 27% of the limbs but were not significantly associated with outcome. Presence of osteomyelitis was significantly associated with a poor outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
ID-IV-RLP using the cephalic or saphenous vein is an alternative to traditional RLP. An indwelling catheter provided prolonged venous access and facilitated successive perfusions.
Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. galkelmer@hotmail.com
Gal
G
Kelmer
Amos
A
Tatz
Tali
T
Bdolah-Abram
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents