Abstract
Objective The aim of this article was to describe the technique and outcomes of standing surgical
management of splint bone fractures and to compare outcome variables and hospitalization
cost to a group with similar fractures treated under general anaesthesia.
Study Design It is a single-institution retrospective study. Surgical technique, surgical time,
hospitalization cost and complications were retrieved from the medical records of
horses treated surgically for splint bone fractures (2008–2020). Owner telephone follow-up
provided data about athletic outcome, client satisfaction and cosmetic appearance.
Results Forty-nine horses (13 standing, 36 under general anaesthesia) with 57 fractures (18
contaminated and 39 non-contaminated) were included. Seven fractures were in the proximal
third (4 standing, 3 under general anaesthesia), 18 in the middle third (5 standing,
13 under general anaesthesia) and 30 were distal (4 standing, 26 under general anaesthesia).
No significant difference between groups in surgical time was found (p= 0.8). Average
total cost was 522 CAN$ lower for the standing group for non-contaminated fractures
(p= 0.02). Three horses of the general anaesthesia group demonstrated postoperative
colic signs and one case of the standing group was re-operated due to sequestration.
Based on follow-up information (range: 3.8-151.2 months), no significant differences
in cosmetic and athletic outcomes were found between groups.
Conclusion Surgical management of splint bone fractures in the standing horse is a valuable
alternative for horses selected based on behaviour. When compared to general anaesthesia,
standing management of splint bone fractures did not alter the surgical time or outcome
variables and avoided general anaesthesia-associated risks.
Keywords
splint bone fractures - standing surgery - horse - metacarpal bone - metatarsal bone
