Medial patellar desmotomy in donkeys

摘要

Upward fixation of the patella is a major cause of lameness in native breed donkeys. Modified medial patellar desmotomy was performed on 10 adult normal male or female donkeys and 2 cadavers. Insertion area of the medial patellar ligament was instilled subcutaneously with 5-10ml of 2% lidocaine with the ligament held in the left thumb and index finger. A circle needle was threaded through the skin lateral to the medial patellar ligament to emerge at other side and the ends of thread were grasped tosplit ligament by a sawing movement. After splitting the ligament and removal of thread, 2% lidocaine was given subcutaneously and a 5-7 cm skin incision was done at the site to confirm the split. Average surgery lasted ~2 minutes and swelling occurredin 3 animals which subsided spontaneously. The technique is illustrated by images.