Dehorning with primary closure, a preferred technique over traditional amputation and open healing: long term study on 500 cases

Incidence of various horn affections in ruminants and utility of dehorning with primary closure technique for the treatment of horn fracture and horn cancer were evaluated in 500 clinical cases treated during the past 15 years (1992–2006). Out of 15000 surgical cases treated at hospitals, field visits, 500 were affections of horn with 3.33% incidence. Horn fractures were more predominant (420 cases, 84%) than horn cancer (20 cases, 4%) and avulsions (60 cases, 12%). Working bullocks were more prone for horn injury and diseases (310, 62%) followed by buffaloes (140, 28%), cows (30, 6%) and goats (20, 4%). In most of the cases, horn fracture was complete (66.66%) and referred from other hospitals due to smell and discharge from horn and nostrils even after prolonged dressing and antibiotic therapy. Most of the incomplete fractures such as longitudinal fissures and holes on horn were also referred due to bad odour, uncontrolled maggots and sinusitis. Hence both complete and incomplete horn fractures having complications and those which were fresh at the base of the horn were subjected to dehorning with primary closure. Dehorning in massive horned Deoni bullocks and buffaloes took prolonged operative time and energy in resection of frontal bone and preparation of the skin flap. The technique of closing dehorned wound with modified vertical mattress suture using No. 1 silk provided primary healing within 14 days avoiding lengthy postoperative dressing and antibiotic therapy. Modified vertical mattress suture was found as an excellent suture technique when compared to simple interrupted or horizontal mattress sutures to counteract tension present in closing a large dehorning wound (average diameter 12 cm) in indigenous breeds. Dehorning with primary closure also provided healing of dehorned wound within 2 weeks in bullocks operated for horn cancer. Out of 380 dehornings, 376 cases showed primary healing without gaping of skin or infection revealing 98% success rate. Only 4 cases could not respond to antibiotics due to preexisting severe, purulent sinusitis and managed with trephining. During long term observation, dehorned bullocks were found to serve for many years in draft work without sinusitis. Uncomplicated incomplete horn fractures were less in number and were managed with external immobilization techniques using metal splints or plaster casts and secured to other horn in figure of eight shaped. Few short horned animals and fresh cases were managed by cauterization with CuSO₄ and bandaging. The study also revealed that dehorning with primary closure always leads to quick recovery of animals in horn cancer if all the mass is resected and if recurrence is not noticed.