Waking up from general anesthesia is one of the most dangerous parts of equine surgery. Many drugs used for horse anesthesia produce weakness and disorientation. This makes standing after surgery challenging. In a worst-case scenario, a horse might catastrophically injure itself after surgery and require humane euthanasia. Many methods have been developed to mitigate the risk of anesthesia in the horse. However, veterinarians must always consider the risks of general anesthesia when making surgical plans. One method to avoid risks associated with recovery from general anesthesia is to perform the surgery in horses utilizing standing sedation.
With advances in sedative and local anesthesia techniques, many procedures that were once only performed under general anesthesia can now be performed safely while the patient is standing. This eliminates the need for horses to rise to a standing position at the conclusion of the procedure. Therefore, it might allow for the use of minimally invasive surgical approaches. It can also provide improved visualization of the surgical site. This article highlights procedures that have been reported under standing sedation.
Types of Standing Surgery Procedures in Horses
Fracture Repairs
Veterinarians have performed several types of fracture repairs in the standing position. One of the most common types of fracture treated under standing sedation is a nondisplaced or incomplete fracture of the lower limb. This is ideal for standing repair because the fracture fragments are still very close together. Therefore, they do not require much manipulation for realignment. Recently, a pastern joint arthrodesis (joint fusion procedure) was also conducted. This technique might be especially important for larger draft horses, which typically have increased anesthetic risk.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy (using a small video camera to look inside a joint) under standing sedation is now more common. This procedure takes advantage of a small, single-use camera. These camera systems can help veterinarians explore several joints. These include the stifle, fetlock and even cervical facet joints in the neck.
Sinus Surgeries
The upper airway is highly accessible in a standing horse. Sinus surgeries are routinely performed under standing sedation to improve visualization and hemostasis. Recently, veterinarians have used small cameras to improve visualization of the sinuses while working through a very small hole in the facial bones. Other upper airway surgeries, such as the laryngeal tie back and laser vocal cordectomies for roaring, are commonly performed under standing sedation. This is again especially advantageous in large draft horses.
Ceratohyoidectomy, a less commonly performed upper airway surgery for the treatment of temporohyoid osteopathy, was recently performed under standing sedation. Ataxia (wobbliness) is one clinical presentation of THO. The use of standing sedation might be valuable to avoid additional instability associated with general anesthesia.
Abdominal Surgeries
While many types of abdominal surgery still require the horse to be under general anesthesia, several standing abdominal surgeries are relatively routine. These include laparoscopic ovariectomy (removal of an ovary) or cryptorchidectomy (removal of an undescended abdominal testicle). Recently, there have been more reports of colic surgeries under standing sedation. These range from laparoscopic exploratory surgery, biopsy collection, intestinal displacement correction and even intestinal resection and anastomosis. However, major difficulties with these surgeries can include keeping the patient stable and comfortable enough to remain standing throughout the procedure.
Complications of Standing Surgery in Horses
Standing surgery is not without drawbacks or additional complications. Because the patient is conscious for the procedure, they might continue to move despite sedation and analgesia. Additionally, the patient must remain standing, which might be difficult for horses with underlying orthopedic disease. Lastly, standing procedures often require extensive set up to maintain a sterile surgical field. They also require significant personnel.
Evaluate Standing Surgical Procedures in Horses on an Individual Basis
The number and types of safe standing surgical procedures continue to grow on a regular basis. Standing surgery allows for expanded treatment options that may not have been previously possible due to risks associated with general anesthesia. While there are advantages of standing surgery, veterinarians should evaluate each cause on an individual basis. If you have questions regarding the possibility of performing surgery under standing sedation, contact a large animal surgeon boarded by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons to discuss options.
