Techniques and Indications for Intraoperative Ultrasound in Horses.
Authors: Stack John D, Cousty Matthieu, Sanders Ruth, David Florent
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Intraoperative Ultrasound in Equine Surgery A retrospective analysis of 113 surgical cases across two equine hospitals between 2007 and 2013 evaluated the practical utility of real-time ultrasound guidance during equine procedures, examining how surgeons used imaging to identify optimal incision sites, measure tissue depth, and guide instrumentation for conditions ranging from synovial structures to implant placement. Surgeons marked skin incisions using ultrasound-guided staple placement and employed calliper measurements to establish precise tissue depth before dissection, standardising their approach across various surgical techniques including endoscopy, open dissection, curettage, and implant work. The findings demonstrated that intraoperative ultrasound proved helpful in 93% of cases (105/113), unhelpful in 6% (7/113), and potentially harmful in just 1% (1/113), indicating robust efficacy across the range of procedures assessed. For equine practitioners, these results support integration of portable ultrasound equipment into the surgical suite as a straightforward adjunct that enhances surgical precision, particularly where soft tissue depth, anatomical variation, or complex spatial relationships pose challenges to landmark-based approaches. Whilst the study does not identify specific conditions where ultrasound proved most beneficial, the overwhelmingly positive surgeon assessment suggests value in developing standardised intraoperative ultrasound protocols for routine equine orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Intraoperative ultrasound significantly improves surgical precision by identifying optimal incision sites and tissue planes, reducing unnecessary trauma and improving outcomes
- •The technique is practical and accessible—using skin staples to mark ultrasound-identified landmarks and caliper measurements for depth guidance requires minimal additional equipment
- •Consider incorporating intraoperative ultrasound into your surgical protocol, particularly for soft tissue surgeries, synovial procedures, and implant placement where anatomical variation is significant
Key Findings
- •Intraoperative ultrasound was rated helpful in 93% (105/113) of equine surgeries across multiple conditions
- •Ultrasound was used to mark optimal skin incision sites and guide instrumentation within tissues with depth soundings
- •Only 1 case (1%) reported harmful effects, with 6% rated as unhelpful