Management of extensive lacerated wounds in horses

Fifteen horses of both sexes and of different age were presented with various degrees of traumatic lacerated wounds on different parts of the body. Most of the wounds were extensively lacerated with zig-zag boundaries and varying degree of contamination. These wounds were repaired in standing sedation along with local infiltration or under general anaesthesia depending upon the temperament of the animal, location of the injury and feasibility of the technique. Most of them were clean contaminated wounds of 2 to 8 hrs of duration. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned with normal saline solution and different antiseptic solutions and debrided as per requirement. Polygalactin 910 for suturing of muscles and nylon for skin were used in most of the cases. An indwelling catheter was also placed in some of the cases and in some cases little unsutured part of the wound in dependent part was left for drainage of exudate. In eight out of fifteen cases, wound healed by primary intension and in five cases dehiscence of sutures took place and wounds healed by granulation. In one case resuturing was done and it healed without complication. One horse was put to sleep with consent of the owner. All these cases were managed following the principles of ideal wound care.