Soft Tissue Surgery

Soft tissue surgery includes all surgical procedures in horses that do not involve the musculoskeletal system—meaning no bones, joints, or tendons. Instead, the focus is on internal organs, skin, muscles, glands, and body cavities. These operations require not only surgical expertise but also precise diagnostics, thorough planning, and intensive aftercare—especially in complex cases.

At the Hanseklinik for Horses, we offer both planned and emergency soft tissue surgeries using state-of-the-art equipment and a highly experienced team of surgeons.

Soft tissue surgery may be required for a variety of reasons, including:

• Respiratory disorders (e.g., laryngeal paralysis, guttural pouch disease, cysts)
• Colic conditions (e.g., intestinal obstruction, displacements, resections)
• Tumors (e.g., sarcoids, melanomas, squamous cell carcinoma)
• Skin lesions or chronic wounds
• Cryptorchidism, castration
• Umbilical hernias or bladder rupture in foals
• Abdominal conditions requiring laparoscopy (e.g., ovariectomy, hernia repair)

Typical signs that may require soft tissue surgery include:

• Swellings, nodules, or masses on the body
• Respiratory noise or poor performance
• Chronic or recurrent colic symptoms
• Discharge from nasal passages or skin wounds
• Poorly healing skin wounds
• Asymmetries in the testicular or abdominal area
• Severe or unexplained pain reactions

If left untreated, soft tissue conditions can lead to serious complications. For example, an untreated umbilical hernia in a foal may become life-threatening, or a slowly growing tumor may develop into a malignant form. Chronic guttural pouch infections can even damage cranial nerves.

Timely surgical intervention Is often the key to preserving a horse's health, performance, and quality of life.

Before any surgical procedure, a comprehensive diagnosis is essential. Depending on the location and suspected condition, we may use:

• Full clinical examination
• Palpation, ultrasound, or endoscopy
• Digital X-ray or CT for detailed imaging
• Biopsies (e.g., for suspicious skin or mucosal masses)
• Pre-surgical bloodwork

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We also differentiate between possible alternative causes, such as:

• Infection vs. tumor in skin masses
• Upper airway obstruction vs. guttural pouch disease
• Hernias vs. anatomical variants in foals

Our soft tissue surgery services include the following procedures:

• Upper airway surgery: e.g., laryngoplasty, guttural pouch operations, epiglottic corrections, sinus surgery for cysts or abscesses
• Colic surgery: e.g., obstruction removal, displacements, intestinal resections, anastomosis
• Tumor removal: e.g., sarcoids, melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas
• Reconstructive surgery: e.g., skin grafts, flap techniques after tumor removal or trauma
• Castrations and cryptorchid surgery
• Foal surgery: e.g., umbilical hernia repair, bladder rupture
• Laparoscopic procedures: e.g., ovariectomy, abdominal biopsies, hernia repairs

We perform surgeries under standing sedation or balanced inhalation anesthesia, depending on the individual case. Our team uses video endoscopy, high-resolution intraoperative imaging, and proven techniques adapted from human medicine to ensure the best outcomes.

Prognosis depends on the underlying condition and how early it is addressed. In many cases—especially with early diagnosis and skilled surgery—a full recovery is possible. Even in more severe cases, surgery often results in significant improvement in quality of life and function.

Each case is carefully evaluated by our surgical team to determine the most suitable approach.