Subtotal ostectomy of dorsal spinous processes performed in nine standing horses.
Authors: Perkins Justin D, Schumacher Jim, Kelly Ger, Pollock Patrick, Harty Marie
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Standing Ostectomy of Diseased Dorsal Spinous Processes Back pain stemming from dorsal spinous process (DSP) pathology—whether osteomyelitis, impingement, or fracture—presents a significant clinical challenge in equine practice, and traditional surgical approaches requiring general anaesthesia carry inherent risks and expense. This retrospective review examined nine adult horses undergoing subtotal DSP ostectomy whilst standing and sedated, with local anaesthetic infiltration providing analgesia; five cases involved osteomyelitic processes whilst four addressed impingement or fracture. The surgeons successfully removed diseased portions of affected spinous processes with minimal haemorrhage, no apparent discomfort to the horses during the procedure, and no serious postoperative complications reported. Performing this procedure in the standing horse offers substantial advantages: superior surgical access and visibility compared to lateral recumbency, dramatically reduced haemorrhage (a noteworthy finding compared to anaesthetised approaches), and importantly, elimination of general anaesthetic risk and associated costs. For practitioners managing horses with confirmed DSP pathology, standing ostectomy represents a viable, cost-effective alternative worth considering, particularly where general anaesthesia poses a concern or where minimising surgical trauma is a priority.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Diseased dorsal spinous processes can be surgically removed in standing horses under local anesthesia and sedation, avoiding general anesthesia risks and costs.
- •Standing ostectomy results in minimal bleeding and maintains better surgical visualization compared to procedures performed under general anesthesia.
- •This technique may be appropriate for horses with dorsal spinous process osteomyelitis, impingement, or fracture where surgical intervention is indicated.
Key Findings
- •Subtotal ostectomy of diseased dorsal spinous processes was performed safely in 9 standing, sedated horses with minimal hemorrhage and no apparent discomfort.
- •Five horses had surgery for osteomyelitis and 4 for impingement and/or fracture of the dorsal spinous processes.
- •Standing procedure eliminated risks associated with general anesthesia and provided better surgical access and visibility compared to lateral recumbency.