Barbaro Surgery Complete; Standing in Intensive Care Unit
Date Posted: 5/21/2006 8:57:21 PM
Last Updated: 5/21/2006 9:28:58 PM
Surgeons reported that Barbaro's seven-plus-hour surgery has ended, and the classic winner who was severely injured in Saturday's Preakness Stakes (gr. I) is in the intensive care unit at the New Bolton Center and standing.
Dr. Dean Richardson, who led the surgical team, said the son of Dynaformer was in surgery for about seven hours. He said one reason the procedure took so long was the amount of time to prepare the colt for surgery and the recovery time to allow the anesthesia to wear off.
"It was long recovery because he was under anesthesia for so long. The surgery was very difficult," said Richardson, noting that the surgery is only the first step toward Barbaro being able to survive his injuries. "The severity of the fracture was very severe. The long pastern bone was in 20-plus pieces. It was not a simple fracture. The skin did not break. He is very very badly bruised. We were able to put the appropriate implants in the leg."
Richardson also said a procedure to fusion the fetlock joint – the ankle – was successful.
"He got up from anesthesia without any injuries," Richardson said.
He said horses with injuries such as Barbaro's are susceptible to other problems, including infection and laminitis.
"These are all major concerns we have. At this moment he is very comfortable in his leg. Things right now are good."
Richardson said one of his major concerns, that the blood flow in the areas of the injury had been cut off, quickly dismissed when the doctors determined "he had good pulse in his feet. When we did the procedure he had good blood supply throughout."
Richardson said Barbaro sustained a broken cannon bone above the ankle, a broken sesamoid bone behind the ankle and a broken long pastern bone below the ankle. The fetlock joint - the ankle - was dislocated.
"The aspects of the surgery will be dictated slightly by what we find," Richardson said. "But the bottom line is we will attempt to perform a fusion of that joint and to stabilize it and make it comfortable enough for him to walk on."
Read more about Barbaro's progress:
5 comments:
I was so relieved to hear about his condition post-surgery, I was moved to blog again .... All in all -- the reports are good, I feel.
A miracle in the making -- combined with prayers, well wishes and medical science. Who would dare suggest that animals are exempt from miracles? Certainly not me.
http://journals.aol.com/gullspirit/PerishtheThought
I saw the race and knew it was broken even before the vets confirmed it. So far this sounds like he might make it, but so many things can go wrong. GLOWs for the youngster to make a good recovery
Sending prayers and love to Barbaro. Hoping he will cooperate and heal well. He has a very long road ahead.
To the Horse that pulled the world together for just that moment in time.
To u my friend,i have loved the race horse all my life from The "Great Secretariat"to the Old man in "Old John Hennry"I do not bet,I watch as it like watching a GOD in Flight... To just listen to then as a GOD in flight with wing's of a GOD>.
Jesus is the creator of all living and breathing things.. and when i see it on tv,i cry as it takes me back to a time in my life that i was young and happy..
TO see a creatury that is so full of life and has the world watching and leaving him carrots at the gate..
To u my friend that if only to me i see you thr the tv.I have felt the pain as somany has.but is with u in loving spirit.
I thank u for the dreams of my childhood that u give me,from the gallant filly "Ruffian" to "Alysheba"who feel to his knees in the Kentucky Derby in the 90's.. all so beautiful in their own rights.
Everything in this world has a RIGHT to LIVE and for u my sweet gallent friend,u have the world waiting and watching for u to come across the finish line a winner to all of us.to just 'COME HOME'..
THANK U MY FRIEND FOR YOUR TIME.
I love u...
jessy
In Peoria, Ill.
Rustgoldensong said:
<<To the Horse that pulled the world together for just that moment in time.>>
A special comment for Rustygoldensong:
Your comment about this bringing the world together for a moment, really sang out to me this morning. If the world can be brought together to help heal this wonderful horse, let's continue praying, as an entire world, and let's pray that our world can heal a little bit also.. as we bring our voices together in prayer.
Your comment really is an inspiration to all of us, Rustygoldensong... to take stock of the important gifts that we are given, to learn to love one another and to live in peace. So I join you in prayer for not only Barbaro's continued healing, but for a little bit of our entire world to heal with him.
With a radiance of love,
Jo
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