Premium
Nd:YAG Laser–Assisted Modified Forssell's Procedure for Treatment of Cribbing (Crib‐Biting) in Horses
Author(s) -
Delacalle Jorge,
Burba Daniel J.,
Tetens Joanne,
Moore Rustin M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1053/jvet.2002.31050
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , neurectomy , larynx , horse , alternative medicine , pathology , paleontology , biology
Objective— To report an neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser‐assisted modified Forssell's surgical technique and outcome for treatment of cribbing (crib‐biting) in horses. Study design— Retrospective clinical study. Animals— Ten adult horses with stereotypic cribbing behavior. Methods— Data were obtained from medical records and telephone conversations with owners, trainers, and veterinarians. Surgical technique involved an approximately 34‐cm ventral median skin incision starting rostral to the larynx and extending caudally. A 10‐cm section of the ventral branch of the spinal accessory nerve was removed, using an Nd:YAG laser at 25 W and continuous pulse with a contact, sculpted‐fiber tip. After neurectomy, approximately 34‐cm sections of the paired omohyoideus and sternothyrohyoideus muscles were removed starting 2 cm rostral to the ventral aspect of the larynx, at the basihyoid bone, using the Nd:YAG laser. Results— Median horse age was 7 years (range, 1 to 11 years). Median surgical time was 90 minutes (range, 75 to 130 minutes). Long‐term outcome (range, 7 to 72 months) was available for all horses. None of the horses had cribbing behavior after surgery, and all returned to their previous use. Four horses had complications (two of which were unrelated to the surgical site), but all recovered fully. Conclusion— The successful outcome we obtained is better than reported previously using a modified Forssell's technique. Clinical relevance— Surgical treatment for cribbing by Nd: YAG laser‐assisted myectomy and neurectomy resulted in an excellent prognosis for resolution of the stereotypical behavior with minimal complications.