Piezoelectric device use in sinus osteotomy for equines is feasible but may extend time to accomplish frontonasal bone flap.

OBJECTIVE: Sinus osteotomy is currently performed in equine surgery with conventional surgical methods, such as trephines and oscillating bone saw, leading to subsequent trauma to the bone during cutting. Piezoelectric devices are now used in maxillofacial surgery in humans as a standard tool as it is less traumatic than the oscillating bone saw and shortens the healing period. The aim of this study was to show that the piezoelectric device can be used for equine sinus surgery, compare its use with the oscillating bone saw, and describe the outcome of cases involving osteotomy performed with a piezoelectric surgical device. ANIMALS: 10 horse specimens for cadaveric study and 11 client-owned equines for clinical evaluation. METHODS: Each cadaveric head underwent a frontonasal bone flap on a randomly assigned side with the piezotome and the oscillating bone saw on the opposite side. Surgical time was recorded for every procedure, and gross examination was performed. A Welch t test was used to compare the surgical time between piezoelectric and oscillating saw use. For the clinical study, animals presented for sinonasal surgery at the hospital from March through October 2023 were included. RESULTS: Osteotomy was possible with the piezotome in all animals. Surgical time was significantly increased when using the piezotome in comparison with the oscillating saw (P < .05). All clinical patients were treated adequately for the sinonasal disorder they were presented for using the piezotome instead of the oscillating saw. No adverse effects nor long-term complications related to its use have been noted, and preservation of the surrounding soft tissues was evident. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of a piezoelectric device in equine surgery is feasible. However, the cadaveric study showed an increased surgical time to perform a frontonasal bone flap.

Osteochondral fragmentation in the synovial pad of the fetlock in Warmblood horses.

OBJECTIVES: To determine clinical and arthroscopic characteristics associated with fragments in the synovial pad of the fetlock and to characterize their morphology. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Warmblood horses (n=104) with fragment(s) in the synovial pad. METHODS: Signalment and results of radiographic and clinical examination were collected before surgery. After arthroscopic fragment removal and joint evaluation for synovial and/or cartilage abnormalities, fragments were measured, and evaluated by histopathology. RESULTS: Synovial pad fragments (n=142) were removed from 127 fetlocks. Two older horses had lameness. During arthroscopy, abnormalities were observed in 40 joints (31.5%) and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the observed arthroscopic abnormalities and the presence of large fragments (P=.016). Fragments were osteochondral bodies completely surrounded by fibrous tissue. At the edges of the hyaline cartilage cap an underlying fibrous structure was obvious in the extracellular matrix giving it a reactive pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Although the impact on lameness was minimal, there was a significant correlation between arthroscopic abnormalities and presence of large synovial pad fragments. On histopathology, these osteochondral fragments are embedded in fibrous tissue and show a reactive pattern. They are not a manifestation of any well-described joint pathology. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Large synovial pad fragments in Warmblood horses can be associated with synovial and cartilage abnormalities, but further studies are warranted to determine their origin and clinical importance.