Endoscopic resection of dorsal spinous processes and interspinous ligament in ten horses.
Authors: Desbrosse Francis G, Perrin Roland, Launois Thomas, Vandeweerd Jean-Michel E, Clegg Peter D
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Endoscopic Resection of Dorsal Spinous Process Impingement in Horses Back pain attributed to impinging dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines) represents a persistent clinical challenge in equine practice, yet minimally invasive surgical options have remained limited. This 2007 descriptive study evaluated endoscopic subtotal resection of affected dorsal spinous processes and interspinous ligament in ten adult horses, using the Destandau Endospine system to create adequate working space and instrument triangulation. Nine of the ten horses returned to full work within eight weeks post-operatively with no complications; the single case that developed a subcutaneous abscess still achieved return to work by three months, whilst minor periosteal reaction appeared in only two horses at the three-month follow-up. Although two horses failed to return to previous performance levels, the procedure successfully resolved the presenting clinical signs in the cohort, with minimal intraoperative haemorrhage offsetting the reduced visibility inherent to endoscopic surgery. For practitioners managing horses with dorsal spinous process pathology, endoscopic resection offers a genuinely viable surgical alternative to open approaches, with favourable complication rates and substantially faster return-to-work timeframes that warrant serious consideration when conservative management has failed.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Endoscopic DSP resection is a viable minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery for horses with impinging dorsal spinous processes, with 90% complication-free outcomes
- •Most horses can return to full work within 8 weeks, though some may not regain previous performance capacity even with successful surgery
- •Hemorrhage control during the procedure is manageable but can affect surgical visibility—this technique requires appropriate equipment and operator experience
Key Findings
- •Endoscopic resection of dorsal spinous processes was successfully performed in all 10 horses with minimal hemorrhage
- •9 of 10 horses returned to full work within 8 weeks with no complications
- •Only 1 horse developed a postoperative complication (subcutaneous abscess) and required 3 months to return to work
- •2 horses showed no return to previous performance levels despite resolution of clinical signs