title: Tenosynoviotomy for sepsis of the digital flexor tendon sheath in 9 horses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a tenosynoviotomy technique for treatment of sepsis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) in horses and report long-term outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses (n = 9).
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses were positioned in lateral recumbency with the affected limb uppermost. A linear incision was made just lateral to the mesotenon beginning 5 cm proximal to the apices of the proximal sesamoid bones, extending 2 cm distal to the bifurcation of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). The incision was continued through the skin, subcutaneous tissue, palmar/plantar annular ligament, and DFTS. Tenotomy of the distal lateral branch of the SDFT was also performed. The site was thoroughly debrided, lavaged, and packed with gauze and allowed to heal by second intention. Follow-up was obtained via owner telephone interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean surgery time was 32 minutes (range, 10-64 minutes). Systemic antibiotics were administered postoperatively (range, 11-46 days; mean, 23 days). Mean hospitalization was 11 days (range, 0-49 days). Follow-up was available for 7 (70%) horses. One year postoperatively, 5 (71%) horses were serviceable for their intended use, and 2 (29%) had been euthanatized. Of 5 survivors, 3 returned to ridden exercise, 1 was retired as a broodmare, and 1 was a broodmare. All owners were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of the surgery site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open drainage via tenosynoviotomy, performed as a salvage procedure, represents a feasible treatment for DFTS sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital, Ocala, FL 34474, USA. turloughmcnally@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Turlough P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Mc Nally
authors.forename: Donnie E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Slone
authors.forename: Faith E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents