Retrospectieve studie naar de prognose van oorsprongdesmopathie van de interosseuspees in het achterbeen na chirurgische behandeling (fasciotomie en neurectomie).

Abstract

The reason to perform this study is to have a retrospective look at the short- term and long-term effects of a neurectomy and fasciotomy performed on horses with proximal suspensory ligament desmitis in the pelvic leg. Objectives: to describe the short- term and long- term follow up results of horses following a neurectomy and fasciotomy. Also to describe the clinical relevant findings and findings which can be found with extra diagnostics (like ultrasound and radiography). Methods: 21 horses have undergone a fasciotomy and neurectomy. There was a re- evaluation 9 months after surgery. They were divided into three groups of age (4-7 yr, 8-10 yr and 11-14 yr) and were re-evaluated after the results of the operation. Horses could be sound or not sound thanks to the proximal suspensory ligament desmitis or not sound thanks to a different lameness. Later on we have also looked at the success of the operation within the same age categories, in which the horses could be sound or lame due to the proximal suspensory desmitis. Horses lame due to another lameness were excluded. We also re-evaluated the horses if they were sound within one year after surgery (<1 yr) and the results after more than one year after surgery (> 1yr). We also examined the age distribution, grade of lameness (grade 1-5), ultrasound findings, radiographic findings and the cosmetic results in the results (white hairs, scar tissue). Results: at the 9 months re- evaluation 50% of the horses was sound. 22,7% of the horses were still lame due to proximal suspensory ligament desmitis and 27,3% of the horses were lame due to another cause of lameness. There was no significant difference between the age groups. When only looking at the sound horses and horses lame due to the proximal suspensory ligament desmitis 68,8% was sound and 31,2% still was lame with no significant difference between the age groups. When looking at the result <1 yr after surgery and >1 yr after surgery 31,25% is sound <1 yr after surgery and is still sound >1 yr after surgery. When a horse is sound <1 yr after surgery the likelihood he stays sound > 1 yr after surgery is 50%. At the <1 yr evaluation 63% of the horses is sound and at the >1 yr evaluation 37,75% of the horses which have undergone surgery are sound. Discussion: in chronic cases of proximal suspensory ligament desmitis of the pelvic limb fasciotomy and neurectomy could be an outcome. Bigger researches are more profound if there is a higher quantity of horses is available.