Guttural pouch empyema caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in a pregnant mare

Technique for guttural pouch bead removal using a novel three-dimensional (3D)-printed instrument

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to determine if a three-dimensional (3D)-printed instrument technique would improve lavage removal of plastic beads (guttural pouch [GP] chondroid mimics) through a dorsal pharyngeal recess (DPR) fenestration. We hypothesized that using a 3D-printed instrument placed through the DPR fenestration would remove more beads, reduce lavage time and incur less soft tissue damage than using a lavage tube control or instrument placement through the salpingopharyngeal ostium (SPO).

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental cadaveric study.

SAMPLE POPULATION

A total of 30 cadaveric equine heads.

METHODS

DPR fenestration was performed using transendoscopic laser and 50 plastic 12 mm beads were placed into one GP of horse heads. Four removal procedures using a 3D-printed instrument or lavage tube control placed through the DPR fenestration or the SPO were compared. Number of beads removed and number of 2-min lavage cycles to recover ≥96% of beads or three consecutive no-yield cycles were recorded. Endoscopic soft tissue damage was graded. Data were compared by generalized estimating equations (GEE) model and Fisher's exact test (p < .05).

RESULTS

More beads (median 48 beads; range 0-49) were removed faster (median 24 beads/cycle; range 12-50) using the 3D-printed instrument compared to control (median 6 beads; range 0-29, 0.66 beads/cycle, range 0-49). There was no difference between total beads removed or removal speed between placement sites. There was no difference in soft tissue damage between procedures.

CONCLUSION

Our 3D-printed instrument enabled efficient plastic bead removal.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

DPR fenestration and use of our 3D-printed instrument represents an alternative to current chondroid removal techniques, warranting investigation in clinical cases.

Relevant Brachycera (Excluding Oestroidea) for Horses in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review

In equine stables and their surroundings, a large number of insects are present that can be a nuisance to their equine hosts. Previous studies about dipterans transmitting infectious agents to Equidae have largely focused on Nematocera. For the preparation of this systematic review, the existing literature (until February 2022) was systematically screened for various infectious agents transmitted to Equidae via insects of the suborder Brachycera, including Tabanidae, Muscidae, Glossinidae and Hippoboscidae, acting as pests or potential vectors. The PRISMA statement 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. The two concepts, Brachycera and Equidae, were combined for the search that was carried out in three languages (English, German and French) using four different search engines. In total, 38 articles investigating Brachycera as vectors for viral, bacterial and parasitic infections or as pests of equids were identified. Only 7 of the 14 investigated pathogens in the 38 reports extracted from the literature were shown to be transmitted by Brachycera. This review clearly shows that further studies are needed to investigate the role of Brachycera as vectors for pathogens relevant to equine health.