Radical surgical resection of locally invasive oro-cutaneous tumors in the buccal region of 2 horses.

Summary

# Editorial Summary Oro-cutaneous tumors affecting the buccal region present a significant surgical challenge due to the anatomical complexity and functional importance of the cheek, yet treatment options remain poorly documented in equine literature. This case series describes radical electroexcision of locally invasive masses in two geldings (an 11-year-old Warmblood and a 9-year-old Norwegian Trotter), with surgical defects measuring up to 14 cm × 8 cm that penetrated transmurally into the oral cavity. Both horses healed successfully via second intention without tumor recurrence, demonstrating that aggressive surgical intervention in this region need not result in significant morbidity or complications. The findings suggest that practitioners should not shy away from creating substantial defects when achieving adequate oncological margins, as the equine cheek possesses considerable capacity for secondary wound healing despite the challenging intraoral component. For farriers and equine healthcare professionals working alongside surgical teams, understanding that such major interventions can be tolerated without compromising feeding or general function may inform referral decisions and post-operative management expectations for horses presenting with similar pathology.

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Key Findings

• •Large transmural defects (up to 14 cm × 8 cm) in the equine cheek region created by radical electroexcision healed successfully by second intention
• •Both cases demonstrated complete wound healing without tumor recurrence
• •No major complications or undue patient discomfort reported during healing process

Conditions Studied