Treatment challenges in equine fibrosarcomas: Can the harmonic scalpel help in the treatment success?

Abstract

SummaryFibrosarcoma is relatively uncommon aggressive neoplasm, representing less than 3% of all neoplasms recorded in horses. Successful treatment of fibrosarcoma can be challenging in equine and recurrence is a common late complication. The accompanying paper by Bellitto et al. (2023, Equine Veterinary Education, 10.1111/eve.13808) illustrates the successful surgical treatment of a large fibrosarcoma over the medial and plantar aspect of the left distal limb in an 18‐year‐old Warmblood gelding. The authors report on the success of treatment after surgical excision of the tumour under general anaesthesia using a harmonic scalpel. The gelding recovered well after 1 year of surgery with no recurrence at that time. Further clinical studies are recommended to compare the harmonic scalpel with other modalities like surgical lasers and conventional sharp excision for treatment of fibrosarcoma in horses as well as to understand the potential benefits of using the harmonic scalpel when treating infiltrative tumours such as fibrosarcoma. The publication of this case report in Equine Veterinary Education is of clinical importance to equine practitioners when treating equine infiltrative neoplasms such as fibrosarcomas.