ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes after semitendinosus tenotomy performed under standing sedation versus general anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SAMPLE POPULATION: 20 horses with fibrotic myopathy of the semitendinosus muscle. METHODS: Medical records (2002-2015) of horses undergoing tenotomy of the semitendinosus muscle for the treatment of fibrotic myopathy were reviewed. Signalment, history, affected muscles, restrain method, surgical procedures, and short-term outcome as well as complications were retrieved from records. Long-term outcome (gait and athletic function) was assessed at least 6 months postoperatively by conversation with the owners. Pearson's χ2 statistical analysis was used to compare restrain method and affected muscles with overall outcome. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Tenotomy of the semitendinosus muscle was performed under standing sedation in 8 horses and under general anesthesia in 12 horses. Follow-up period ranged from 9 months to 10 years. Gait was improved to variable degrees in 8 of 14 horses when the semitendinosus muscle alone was affected and in 4 of 6 horses when both the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles were involved (P = .11). Six of 8 horses treated under standing sedation and 6 of 12 horses treated under general anesthesia exhibited some improvement in the characteristic fibrotic gait (P = .4473). Five of 6 athletic horses treated under standing sedation and 6 of 9 athletic horses treated under general anesthesia returned to their preinjury level of athleticism. Horses treated under standing sedation had no incisional complications; 2 of 12 horses treated under general anesthesia exhibited incisional drainage. CONCLUSION: Tenotomy of the semitendinosus muscle in horses with fibrotic myopathy leads to similar improvement in gait, whether performed under standing sedation or general anesthesia.
