Outcomes and Complications Associated with Superior and Inferior Subpalpebral Lavage Treatment Systems Placed in 61 Equine Eyes (2004-2021).
Authors: Quéré Emilie, Chahory Sabine
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Subpalpebral Lavage Systems in Horses Between 2004 and 2021, researchers at the National Veterinary School of Alfort reviewed 61 subpalpebral lavage (SPL) systems placed in 60 horses to evaluate treatment outcomes and compare complication rates between superior and inferior eyelid placement. Of the 61 systems reviewed, 53 cases (86.9%) resolved without incident, whilst 8 cases (13.1%) experienced complications including iatrogenic corneal ulceration, palpebral abscess, conjunctival overgrowth over the footplate, and palpebral cellulitis—with upper eyelid systems showing a substantially higher complication rate of 23.3% compared to 4.2% for lower eyelid systems, though this difference narrowed to borderline statistical significance (P=0.06). Most systems functioned effectively for a median duration of 7.5 days, making SPL systems a practical choice for frequent topical medication delivery in horses with painful eye conditions. The researchers' findings suggest that whilst both locations remain viable options, inferior fornix placement offers practical advantages in terms of easier placement and removal alongside a notably lower complication profile, making it the preferred approach within their institution. For equine practitioners managing corneal ulcers, uveitis, and other acute ocular conditions, these data support choosing lower eyelid SPL placement when anatomically feasible, though upper lid systems remain a valuable alternative when clinical circumstances require it.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Subpalpebral lavage systems are effective for frequent topical medication delivery with ~87% success rate; lower eyelid placement showed fewer complications and easier placement/removal despite small sample size
- •Monitor upper eyelid systems more closely for potential complications, particularly corneal ulceration and palpebral abscess
- •Plan for typical treatment duration of approximately 7-8 days when using these systems in clinical management of painful equine eye conditions
Key Findings
- •Uneventful outcomes occurred in 53 of 61 cases (86.9%) with subpalpebral lavage systems
- •Upper eyelid systems had 7 complications (23.3%) versus 1 complication (4.2%) for lower eyelid systems, though difference was not statistically significant (P=0.06)
- •Identified complications included iatrogenic corneal ulceration, palpebral abscess, conjunctival overgrowth over footplate, and palpebral cellulitis
- •Median duration of SPL system use was 7.5 days