Current practices in equine minimally invasive soft tissue surgery.
Authors: Hackett Eileen S, McOnie Rebecca C, Buote Nicole J, Fubini Susan L
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary Minimally invasive soft tissue surgery has become increasingly prevalent in equine practice, yet significant variation exists in how procedures are performed and outcomes are optimized. Hackett and colleagues conducted a comprehensive review of current standing sedated endoscopic techniques—including laparoscopic urogenital and gastrointestinal procedures, and thoracoscopy—examining established protocols, equipment innovations, and best-practice strategies across these surgical modalities. Whilst laparoscopic approaches for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in the abdomen are well-established in many practices, the review highlights that thoracoscopy remains substantially underutilized despite its potential clinical applications, likely reflecting variable access to equipment, training opportunities, and familiarity among practitioners. The authors emphasize that advancing the field depends on three interconnected factors: investment in specialized facilities and modern surgical equipment, multidisciplinary collaboration between surgeons and allied professionals (including anaesthetists, physiotherapists, and support staff), and sustained engagement with continuing education to develop and maintain the technical competencies required for these procedures. For equine professionals, this underscores the value of cross-discipline knowledge-sharing forums and formal training in minimally invasive techniques as means to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Consider standing sedated endoscopic approaches for soft tissue conditions—they require proper facilities and training, but offer significant advantages in horses
- •Thoracoscopy may be underexplored in your practice; evaluate its potential for appropriate thoracic cases
- •Invest in continuing education and cross-disciplinary collaboration to stay current with evolving minimally invasive techniques and equipment innovations
Key Findings
- •Standing sedated endoscopic surgery is commonly used in horses but requires specialized facilities, anesthetic protocols, and expertise
- •Laparoscopic urogenital and gastrointestinal procedures are frequently reported and emphasized in current equine soft tissue surgery
- •Thoracoscopy is underutilized in equine practice despite potential therapeutic applications
- •Continuing education participation and interdisciplinary collaboration are effective strategies for optimizing minimally invasive surgical outcomes