New surgical technique for annular palmar/plantar desmotomy in horses: ex vivo study

Abstract

Palmar/plantar annular desmotomy (PAD) is a surgical procedure performed with the aim of mitigating pain, lameness and other clinical manifestations involved in the annular ligament syndrome. Several surgical techniques are proposed, but they require specific equipment and training or even have the great traumatic potential for the adjacent tissues. The objective of this project is to describe a new surgical technique for PAD, in a minimally invasive approach. Ten fore- and hindlimbs from equine cadavers will be used. A number 6 multifilament surgical thread will be positioned around the ligament, through a digital sheath and a tunnel divided between the ligament and the skin, through two incisions (proximal and distal to the ligament, on the palmar/plantarolateral face); and a saw movement will be executed to the complete section of the structure. Limb dissection will be performed soon after the procedure to assess total ligament transection and possible iatrogenic injuries to adjacent structures. The photographic record will be carried out, as well as the effectiveness and traumas will be noted beyond the time required to perform the procedure. (AU)