Outcome of superficial keratectomy without conjunctival graft as a surgical technique for immune-mediated keratitis in horses: Four cases |
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Authors: | E Dieterman H Hermans I J M Slenter N W Kuijpers G C M Grinwis M H Boevé |
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Institution: | 1. Division of Equine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands;2. Division of Ophthalmology Section, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands;3. Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands;4. Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | This case report describes four horses with unilateral superficial or mid-stromal immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) treated with a superficial keratectomy (SK) without a conjunctival graft. In two horses, the surgery was performed under general anaesthesia, and in two horses standing with sedation and local blocks. Results of this report show that SK is a viable treatment option in horses with chronic superficial and/or mid-stromal IMMK that can even be performed in the standing, sedated horse. When sufficient corneal tissue is removed, no recurrence is to be expected in the long-term follow-up (up to 31 months). In two horses, healing occurred without complications. Two horses developed a secondary bacterial infection post-operatively (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus). In one case, this resulted in a pre-perforating melting corneal ulcer necessitating conjunctival pedicle graft surgery 13 days post keratectomy. In three horses, there was no recurrence of the IMMK with a long-term follow-up of 6–31 months. One case showed recurrence of IMMK in the cornea region surrounding the keratectomy 9 months after surgery. |
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Keywords: | horse cornea IMMK eye standing surgery inflammatory |
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