Use of Thoracic Catheters to Drain Pelvic Abscesses in Horses: Two Cases.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Thoracic Catheters for Pelvic Abscess Drainage in Horses Pelvic abscesses present a significant clinical challenge in equine practice, particularly when conservative management fails or when large collections threaten intestinal function. Albanese and Mereu (2023) documented two cases in which standard surgical approaches were foregone in favour of percutaneous drainage using indwelling thoracic catheters—a technique more commonly associated with thoracic fluid management—combined with serial lavages and targeted antibiotic therapy. Both horses responded favourably to this minimally invasive approach, avoiding the morbidity associated with traditional surgical drainage. This technique warrants consideration in equine practice as an alternative for managing pelvic abscesses that might otherwise require more invasive intervention, though the method's applicability will depend on abscess size, location, accessibility, and individual case presentation. The broader implication is that repurposing existing drainage technology may expand the surgical toolkit available to practitioners managing this common but complicated condition.

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Key Findings

• •Two pelvic abscesses in horses were successfully drained using indwelling chest tubes as an alternative to conventional surgical drainage
• •Repeated lavages combined with targeted antibiotic treatment resolved the infections without major surgical intervention
• •The technique was suitable for managing larger abscesses and cases with secondary intestinal obstruction

Conditions Studied

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