Equine surgery demands precision, planning, and collaboration to ensure successful outcomes and smooth recoveries. This section brings together case studies and clinical guidance on soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery, colic procedures, and wound repair. Learn best practices for preoperative fasting, standing sedation, and anesthesia protocols, and discover innovations such as fluorescence biomodulation, medical-grade honey, and improved wound closure materials. Articles cover perioperative medication strategies—including atropine, flunixin meglumine, and antibiotic stewardship—along with protocols for pain management and infection control. The content emphasizes postoperative rehabilitation, minimizing complications, and integrating advanced imaging and surgical technologies. Explore the articles below to strengthen your surgical approach, improve patient outcomes, and apply the latest evidence-based practices in equine operative care. The volatile anesthetic agent desflurane may cost more than alternatives, and it is being shunned worldwide for its climate-warming potential, but it… Injury to the subchondral bone of the first phalanx is a common cause of lameness in performance horses, and one for which… Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common complication following colic surgery in horses. The prevalence of these infections ranges from 10% to… Higher levels of synovial amikacin can be found after IV regional limb perfusion if the perfusate is given at a slower rate,… Most showjumping horses that undergo colic surgery can return to competition at the same or even higher level after the procedure, a… Colic surgery, orthopedic repair, and soft‑tissue reconstruction are frequent. Each requires careful case selection, anesthesia planning, and coordinated aftercare for best outcomes. Pre‑anesthetic evaluation, fasting when indicated, and fluid therapy reduce complications. Standing sedation is increasingly used for select procedures to lower anesthetic risk. Multimodal analgesia—NSAIDs, opioids, local blocks, and adjuncts—controls pain while facilitating early mobilization. Pain scoring guides dose adjustments during recovery. Strict asepsis, appropriate antibiotic stewardship, and meticulous wound care are essential. Adjuncts such as antimicrobial dressings and honey‑based products can support healing. Many horses resume light work within 8–12 weeks absent complications. Gradual re‑feeding, controlled exercise, and regular monitoring are critical to success. Laparoscopy, fluorescence biomodulation, improved suture materials, and better monitoring technologies are enhancing precision and shortening recovery times. Complex fractures, recurrent colic, or major trauma benefit from 24/7 monitoring, intensive care capabilities, and advanced imaging—improving prognosis and safety.Surgery
Desflurane linked to speedier recoveries in equine surgery, but with lots of caveats
Lag screw fix for first phalanx lameness
A practical guide to postsurgical ventral midline SSIs
Limb Wounds Can Kill Careers
Myth Busted: Showjumpers Can’t Return to Sport After Colic Surgery
Frequently Asked Equine Surgery Questions
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