Upgrades to surgical suites at the Equine Medical Center support both emergency and elective surgical procedures

Over the last couple of years, the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) emergency and critical care caseload has rapidly increased, placing additional focus on the center’s surgical suites. This critical area of the hospital needs to be well-equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and appropriate features to ensure the best possible outcomes for equine patients.

Generous philanthropic support from Teressa Beier – a physician whose career centered around human emergency medicine – has enabled the EMC to make key upgrades to its surgical suites.

New Getinge Maquet Power LED II surgical lights have been installed in both surgical suites. The surgical lights, a past recipient of the Red Dot Award for product design, will ensure the clearest and brightest possible light source for surgeons, without the added distraction from glare. 

Equine-specific surgery tables by Shank’s Veterinary Equipment have been purchased. These dorsal/lateral equine surgical tables can be lowered more than previously possible for maximum versatility. A self-contained power unit with a hand-controlled hydraulic valve allows for full adjustment and two-way tilt capability allows for optimal positioning of the horse in preparation for surgical procedures. 

Plans are in place to install poured non-slip flooring in both operating rooms, which has proven to be highly effective as a safety and bio-security feature in other areas of the hospital.

Funding received through an estate gift was used to purchase an Arthrex Tower. This highly specialized tool supports both arthroscopic and laparoscopic surgery. It controls lighting, water flow and pressure to optimize surgical site visualization.  This equipment can be used as a diagnostic tool, for surgical treatment of septic joints, OCD lesions, torn cartilage and bone fractures, and to lavage joints. The camera on the attached scope provides real-time images on an integrated screen of areas of concern to guide surgical procedures. 

“The ability to clearly visualize an area requiring surgical repair before deciding on a suitable surgical option, and also while a surgical procedure is underway, is extremely important to me as an equine surgeon,” said Norris Adams, Clinical Associate Professor of Equine Surgery “This equipment will play a significant role in many orthopedic surgical procedures performed at the EMC.”

These upgrades will ensure that EMC’s newly formed Emergency and Critical Care Team will have immediate access at all times to a surgical suite ensuring that horses requiring emergency surgery are treated as quickly as possible, without affecting scheduled elective procedures.

The EMC’s team of board-certified specialists provides routine and specialized surgical procedures and is available 24 hours each day to treat critically injured or sick horses.    

Written by Sharon Peart for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.