Outcome of keratoma removal using different surgical techniques, including a modified partial hoof wall resection: A retrospective study (2004–2025) - 2026
[en] Keratomas are diseases of the equine hoof that can be associated with intermittent lameness and/or recurrent foot abscesses. Different surgical techniques for keratoma removal have been described. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the short- and long-term postoperative complications after keratoma removal using different surgical techniques: complete hoof wall resection (CR), partial hoof wall resection (PR) and a modified version of PR (MPR). The medical records of horses diagnosed with keratoma and space occupying lesion (SOL) of the hoof wall (2004–2025) at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital were reviewed. Fifty-five cases underwent surgery (18 CR, 35 MPR and 2 PR). Partial hoof wall resection cases were excluded from statistical analysis due to a very limited number. On the short term, 9/35 (25.7%) of MPR cases developed complications. Modified partial hoof wall resection showed significantly less complications (especially exuberant granulation tissue and hoof wall instability) than CR. Other short-term complications across surgical procedures included laminitis, infection, fracture, and colic. Long term follow-up (6–180 months) was available for 15 CR, 2 PR and 22 MPR cases. Modified partial hoof wall resection group showed significantly less hoof cracks than the CR group. Keratoma recurrence occurred in 3/15 cases in CR, 1/2 in PR, and only 1/22 in MPR groups. Return to activity was achieved in around 70% of CR and MPR cases. Mean time to return was significantly shorter in the MPR (6.5 months) than in the CR group and was in line with durations generally described in the literature for PR. In conclusion, MPR can be an effective alternative to traditional surgical approaches for keratoma removal.
Research Center/Unit :
FARAH. Médecine vétérinaire comparée - ULiège
Disciplines :
Veterinary medicine & animal health
Author, co-author :
Caballero Delgado, Guillermo ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH) > FARAH: Médecine vétérinaire comparée
Grulke, Sigrid ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH) > FARAH: Médecine vétérinaire comparée
Evrard, Laurence ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'Enseignement et de Clinique des Equidés (DCE) > Imagerie médicale des équidés
Sandersen, Charlotte ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH) > FARAH: Médecine vétérinaire comparée
de la Rebière de Pouyade, Geoffroy ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH) > FARAH: Médecine vétérinaire comparée
Salciccia, Alexandra ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH) > FARAH: Médecine vétérinaire comparée
Language :
English
Title :
Outcome of keratoma removal using different surgical techniques, including a modified partial hoof wall resection: A retrospective study (2004–2025)
Agne, B., Diagnosis and treatment of foot infections. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 30 (2010), 510–512, 10.1016/j.jevs.2010.07.019.
Bosch, G., van Schie, M.J.J., Back, W., Retrospective evaluation of surgical versus conservative treatment of keratomas in 41 lame horses (1995-2001). Tijdschr. Diergeneeskd. 129 (2004), 700–705.
Boys Smith, S.J., Clegg, P.D., Hughes, I., Singer, E.R., Complete and partial hoof wall resection for keratoma removal: post operative complications and final outcome in 26 horses (1994-2004). Equine Vet. J. 38 (2006), 127–133, 10.2746/042516406776563288.
Butler, J.A., Colles, C.M., Dyson, S.J., Kold, S.E., Poulos, P.W., The foot. Clinical Radiology of the Horse, 2017, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford, 55–147.
Christman, C., Solar keratoma: an atypical case. Can. Vet. J. 49 (2008), 904–906, 10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1257.
Eggleston, R.B., Baxter, G.M., Belknap, J., Parks, A., Dern, K., Watts, A.E., Brokken, M., Ortved, K.F., Bertone, A.L., Lameness of the distal limb: navicular region/palmar foot. Baxter, G.M., (eds.) Adams and Stashak's Lameness in Horses, 2020, Wiley, 439–595, 10.1002/9781119276715.ch4.
Fürst, A.E., Lischer, C.J., Foot. Equine Surgery, 2019, Elsevier, 3251 Riverport Lane St. Louis, Missouri 63043, 1548–1550.
Getman, L.M., Davidson, E.J., Ross, M.W., Leitch, M., Richardson, D.W., Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging-assisted partial hoof wall resection for keratoma removal. Vet. Surg. 40 (2011), 708–714, 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2011.00864.x.
Greet, T., The management of multiple keratoma lesions in an equine foot. Equine Vet. educ. 28 (2016), 315–318, 10.1111/eve.12446.
Honnas, C.M., Keratomas of the equine digit. Equine Vet. educ. 9 (1997), 203–207, 10.1111/j.2042-3292.1997.tb01307.x.
Honnas, C.M., Dabareiner, R.M., McCauley, B.H., Hoof wall surgery in the horse: approaches to and underlying disorders. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pract. 19 (2003), 479–499, 10.1016/S0749-0739(03)00002-6.
Jaworska, J., Keratoma can be treated successfully with simple hoof surgery: hoof resection as a simple way to remove keratoma in a horse. J. Hellenic Vet. Med. Soc., 67, 2018, 51, 10.12681/jhvms.15623.
Katzman, S.A., Spriet, M., Galuppo, L.D., Outcome following computed tomographic imaging and subsequent surgical removal of keratomas in equids: 32 cases (2005–2016). J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 254 (2019), 266–274, 10.2460/javma.254.2.266.
Leise, B.S., Complications of surgery of the equine foot. Rubio-Martinez, L.M., Hendrickson, D.A., (eds.) Complications in Equine Surgery, 2021, Wiley, 667–682, 10.1002/9781119190332.ch47.
Mageed, M., Elfadl, A., Blum, N., Wegert, J., Kremer, F., Swagemakers, J., Standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic modality for solar keratoma in a horse. Equine Vet. educ., 32, 2020, 10.1111/eve.13015.
Mair, T.S., Linnenkohl, W., Low-field magnetic resonance imaging of keratomas of the hoof wall. Equine Vet. educ. 24 (2012), 459–468, 10.1111/j.2042-3292.2011.00367.x.
McDiarmid, A., Keratoma from the frog corium of a horse. Equine Vet. educ. 19 (2007), 285–287, 10.2746/095777307X204207.
Miller, S.M., Katzwinkel, R.H., Solar keratoma: an atypical case. J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc., 86, 2015, 10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1257.
Pickersgill, C.H., Recurrent white line abscessation associated with a keratoma in a riding pony. Equine Vet. Educ. 12 (2000), 286–291, 10.1111/j.2042-3292.2000.tb00061.x.
Ross, C., White, J.M., Hibner-Szaltys, M., Stephenson, R.S., Withers, J.M., Marcatili, M., Hoof wall masses removal in 30 standing sedated horses: surgical technique, postoperative complications and long-term outcome. Vet. Surg. 54 (2025), 77–88, 10.1111/vsu.14137.
Thiemann, A.K., Poore, L.A., Hoof disorders and farriery in the donkey. Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. 35 (2019), 643–658, 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.08.012.
