How to Perform a Standing Enucleation

Enucleation is one of the most frequently performed orbital surgeries. Indications for enucleation include a blind, painful eye; ocular neoplasia; severe corneal or intra-ocular infection; and ocular trauma not amenable to surgical repair. Several publications recommend that equine enucleation only be performed under general anesthesia. However, per several recent reports, enucleation can be performed safely on standing horses with appropriate sedation and local anesthesia. The option to perform a standing enucleation allows the surgeon to avoid the risks of general anesthesia including fractures, myositis, and neuropathies. Ocular surgery has been associated with an increased incidence of movement and hypotension during anesthesia followed by difficult or prolonged recovery. These complications probably occur as the result of the deeper plane of anesthesia required to diminish ocular sensation and mobility. Geriatric patients, horses with orthopedic disease, or heavy draft horses therefore might be better candidates for a standing enucleation than an enucleation performed under general anesthesia. 2. Materials and Methods