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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Horse with joint infection after injury - how gentamicin helped

By Summerhays, G E·Published in The Veterinary record·2000·The Liphook Equine Hospital·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Treatment of traumatically induced synovial sepsis in horses with gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges.

Species:
horse
Movement & jointsHorses

Plain-English summary

In this study, eight horses with joint infections caused by injuries were treated using a procedure that cleaned out the infected area and then placed a special sponge soaked in gentamicin, an antibiotic, into the joint. Seven of the horses improved and were able to move normally six months later. The eighth horse needed another surgery but also recovered. The gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges seem to be a safe and helpful option for treating these types of infections in joints and tendons, as they dissolve naturally in the body.

Abstract

Eight horses with synovial sepsis induced by trauma were treated by arthroscopic/tenoscopic debridement and lavage followed by the implantation of a gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge. Seven of them responded favourably and were sound six months after treatment. The other underwent a further surgical procedure and recovered. Gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponges appear to be a safe and useful adjunct in the treatment of septic joints and tendon sheaths, and have the advantage of being bioabsorbable.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10985461/