Development of a minimally invasive approach to equine cervical articular facet joints for placement of an ND:YAG LASER

The purpose of this study was to develop a minimally invasive approach to equine cervical articular facet joints for application of an ND:YAG LASER and to evaluate the effects of the laser fiber on the surrounding tissue. Under general anesthesia, an ND:YAG LASER was used to apply 2000 J of energy to 5 cervical articular facet joints in 3 horses (15 joints total). Horses were euthanized and the cervical facets and spinal cords were examined grossly and histologically. Gross pathology of the articular facets revealed evidence of articular cartilage charring and diffuse roughening of the surface. Histopathology confirmed coagulative necrosis. This novel technique allowed access to the cervical articular facet joints with the ND:YAG LASER and has the potential to allow performance of a minimally invasive facilitated ankylosis procedure. Further validation in sedated, standing horses is required to establish safety and efficacy of this technique.