The persistence of TGF-beta(1) expression in leg wounds may be related to the development of exuberant granulation tissue in this location, because TGF-beta(1) is profibrotic.

This study suggests that the production of EGT in bandaged wounds may be related to increased expression of fibrogenic TGF-beta1 and decreased expression of antifibrotic TGF-beta3. Further investigation of the roles of TGF-beta1 and -beta3 may be important in understanding the molecular control of EGT in horses.

Summary Post operative surgical wound infection rates were determined for 452 cases of equine orthopaedic surgery performed at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1990. Only surgical procedures classified as clean or clean‐contaminated by the National Research Council were included in this study. The overall post operative infection rate was 10.0% (45 of 452). Clean surgeries (n=433) had an 8.1% infection rate while clean‐contaminated surgeries (n=19) had a 52.6% infection rate. Information collected from the medical records was used in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate significant determinates of post operative infection. Significant determinates of post operative infection were: surgical classification, orthopaedic involvement, duration of surgery, administration of preoperative antibiotics and gender. Clean‐contaminated surgeries had an increased risk of infection compared to clean surgeries (odds ratio (OR)=24.3), procedures involving long bones had an increased risk of infection compared to procedures involving articular surfaces (OR =5.1), surgeries lasting 90 minutes or longer had an increased risk of infection compared to those less than 90 minutes (OR =3.6), administration of preoperative antibiotics was associated with an increased risk of infection (OR =4.6) and female patients were 2.6 times more likely to develop post operative infection than male patients.

Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint was used to treat lameness resulting from osteoarthrosis and for closed subluxation in 35 horses. Six horses had bilateral arthrodeses. Several conventional internal fixation techniques and a three converging screw method were used. Criteria for success included the horse performing its previous or intended athletic activity and the owner being satisfied with the outcome. Using these criteria, a successful outcome was obtained in 65% of the 26 animals in which adequate follow-up was available. A successful outcome was observed in four of six horses with bilateral arthrodeses. The internal fixation technique used did not influence the success rate, and the duration of postoperative casting was similar in successful and unsuccessful cases. The success rate of proximal interphalangeal arthrodeses was 46% in the fore limbs and 83% in the hind limbs. Complications included infection, cast ulcers, bone or implant failure, implant loosening, and laminitis.