Empiricism and inefficiency in cultural practice of “disconnect” horses in Northeastern of Brazil: Cases Study

Abstract

In Northeastern of Brazil is practiced surgical procedure called "disconnect" with the aim of eliminate chronic lameness in horses. The act is carried out for several decades as a regional cultural element incorporated into the population customs and traditionally practiced by laypeople and veterinarians. This paper aims characterize the surgical procedure known as "disconnect", citing their different access and technical efficiency through information obtained through direct survey of performers (veterinarians or lay) and owners of animals that have undergone the procedure. According to the descriptions, the procedure has four surgical approaches, and can be defined as vascular section followed by profuse bleeding, with or without hemostasis ligature, at medial access of the proximal or distal region of the fore and hindlimbs. The information obtained and the anatomical structural analysis indicate that the practice of "disconnect " is characterized by phlebotomy, associated or not with neurectomy, being a questionable, empirical and inefficient procedure in the treatment of lameness. From the cases report developed, the initial character on the subject concludes the absence of therapy evidence in animals undergoing the procedure, counter indicating it in the clinical and surgical routine horses.