1. Equine Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat joint disorders in horses. It’s performed by inserting a small camera (arthroscope) and surgical instruments into the joint through small incisions. Here’s a detailed look at two common arthroscopic procedures performed at Woodside: 

2. Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) Lesions

Overview:

• OCD is a developmental orthopedic disease in young horses where the cartilage and underlying bone in a joint fail to form properly, leading to loose cartilage fragments (flaps).
• Commonly affected joints: tarsocrural (hock), femoropatellar (stifle), and fetlock joints.

Indications for Arthroscopy:

• Lameness
• Joint effusion
• Radiographic evidence of OCD lesions

Procedure:

• General anesthesia
• Joint is aseptically prepared
• Arthroscope inserted through a portal
• Lesions visualized and debrided (removal of loose cartilage or bone fragments)
• Healthy cartilage margins are smoothed to promote healing

Prognosis:

• Good to excellent for many performance horses, depending on joint and severity
• Early intervention improves outcomes

3. Septic Arthritis (Infected Joints)

Overview:

• Septic arthritis involves bacterial infection in a joint, leading to inflammation, pain, and potential destruction of cartilage.
• Common causes: wounds, injections, or hematogenous spread (especially in foals)

Indications for Arthroscopy:

• Persistent or severe joint infection unresponsive to lavage or antibiotics
• Need for thorough debridement
• Visual assessment of articular cartilage

Procedure:

• General anesthesia or standing sedation (rarely)
• Joint distended and flushed
• Arthroscope used to visualize joint surfaces
• Debridement of necrotic tissue, fibrin, and infectious debris
• Repeated lavage with sterile fluids

Adjunct Therapy:

• Systemic and/or local antibiotics (e.g., intra-articular or regional limb perfusion)
• Post-op pain management and supportive care

Prognosis:

• Depends on duration and severity of infection
• Better outcomes with early, aggressive treatment
• Foals may have guarded prognosis, especially with growth plate involvement

Equine laparoscopic procedures are minimally invasive surgical techniques performed on horses using a laparoscope (a small camera) and specialized instruments inserted through small incisions in the flank or abdomen. These procedures offer several advantages over traditional open surgery, including reduced postoperative pain, quicker recovery, and improved visualization of internal structures.

Here’s a detailed look at three common laparoscopic procedures performed at Woodside: cryptorchidism surgery, ovariectomy, and nephrosplenic space ablation.

1. Laparoscopic Cryptorchidectomy

Indication:
Cryptorchidism is the failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum. Retained testicles can be located abdominally or in the inguinal canal and continue to produce testosterone, affecting behavior and making castration incomplete.

Procedure:

• The horse is typically sedated OR placed in dorsal or lateral recumbency under general anesthesia.
• A laparoscope is inserted through a flank port to visualize the retained testicle.
• Additional ports allow the insertion of instruments to grasp, cauterize, and transect the spermatic cord.
• The testicle is removed through an enlarged portal site.

Benefits:

• Precise localization and removal of intra-abdominal testicles.
• Lower risk of complications compared to open surgery.

2. Laparoscopic Ovariectomy

Indication:
Ovariectomy (removal of one or both ovaries) is indicated in cases such as:

• Ovarian tumors (e.g., granulosa-theca cell tumors)
• Behavioral modification
• Sterilization in performance mares

Procedure:

• The mare is placed in standing sedation with local anesthesia or under general anesthesia.
• Laparoscopic access is gained through the flank.
• The ovary is visualized, and its blood supply is coagulated and transected.
• The ovary is removed, often through an enlarged port.

Benefits:

• Less invasive than traditional colpotomy or flank incisions.
• Faster recovery, especially beneficial in athletic horses.

3. Laparoscopic Nephrosplenic Space Ablation

Indication:
Used to prevent or treat nephrosplenic entrapment of the large colon, a common cause of colic where the colon becomes trapped between the spleen and the left kidney.

Procedure:

• The horse is typically in standing sedation.
• Ports are created in the left flank to access the nephrosplenic space.
• The space is closed off by suturing the spleen to the body wall or using mesh implants to prevent future entrapment.

Benefits:

• Prevents recurrent nephrosplenic entrapment.
• Avoids the need for repeated medical or surgical colic treatments related to a nephrosplenic entrapment of the large colon.

General Advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery in Horses

• Minimally invasive: Smaller incisions mean less trauma and reduced risk of infection.
• Improved visualization: The laparoscope offers magnified views of internal structures.
• Faster recovery: Shorter downtime post-surgery, especially important for performance animals.
• Reduced postoperative complications: Particularly beneficial in abdominal procedures.