Fernando N Amitrano

Interests

Teaching

Surgical skills developmentSurgical simulationsCritical thinking skills

Research

Develop new surgical techniques for common surgical procedures in large animalsEquine osteoarthritis and join biomarkerEquine musculoskeletal biomechanics

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Amitrano, F. N. (2023). Evaluation of Anesthetic Skills Acquisition in Pre-graduate Veterinary Students with Different Grades of Anesthetic Experience Using Veterinary Simulation Exercises. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1254930
• Amitrano, F. N. (2022). Long-Term Outcome of Horses Undergoing Unilateral Mandibular Condylectomy and Meniscectomy for Temporomandibular Joint Disease. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.898096
• Amitrano, F. N., Arnold, C. E., Brounts, S. H., Canada, N. C., Carmalt, J. L., Henry, T. S., Ortved, K. F., Schumacher, J., & White, S. (2022).

  Long-Term Outcome of Horses Undergoing Unilateral Mandibular Condylectomy and Meniscectomy for Temporomandibular Joint Disease

  . Frontiers in Veterinary Science. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.898096
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  Background There are no reports describing the long-term outcome of sport horses undergoing unilateral mandibular condylectomy with meniscectomy (UMC) for treatment for severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease (TMD). Whether horses undergoing UMC require a specialized diet, can return to riding with a bit, or return to intended function after surgery is unknown. Objective To determine the long-term outcome of horses undergoing UMC for treatment of severe TMD. Study Design A multi-institutional, retrospective study. Methods Medical records obtained from seven equine referral hospitals of horses with severe TMD that underwent UMC were reviewed. Details regarding the presenting complaints, results of clinical examination, findings of diagnostic imaging, surgical technique, and outcome (including long-term follow-up with an owner questionnaire) were recorded. Results Eleven horses fit the inclusion criteria. Three had severe idiopathic osteoarthritis, and eight had confirmed septic osteoarthritis of the TMJ. The most common post-operative complications were drainage and peri-incisional swelling ( n = 5). One horse developed a hematoma at the surgical site because the facial artery was inadvertently transected during the approach, causing the condylectomy to be postponed. All horses were discharged alive from the hospital, and 10 returned to their previous or intended use. All had complete resolution of clinical signs of TMD. One mare was retired from athletic use due to her genetic value as a broodmare. One horse was euthanized 2 years after UMC due to progressively worsening of clinical signs of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO), which were not present before surgery. When available, owner satisfaction of the results of the procedure was excellent. Main Limitations Sample size; multiple institutions; owner bias. Conclusions Unilateral mandibular condylectomy should not be considered a salvage procedure. Horses treated for severe TMD by UMC can return to their previous or intended level of athletic performance and do not require a specialized diet.
• Shaw, K., Henry, T., Gasperi, D. D., Brounts, S. H., & Amitrano, F. N. (2022). Standing Intraoral Extraction of the Right Mandibular Third Molar Tooth in a Cow Utilizing Tooth Sectioning.. Journal of veterinary dentistry, 39(1), 71-77. doi:10.1177/08987564211065129
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  A 2-year-old Holstein heifer presented to a university teaching hospital with an apical tooth infection of the right mandibular third molar. A standing oral extraction technique was attempted for tooth removal; however, the molar could not be delivered intact. A tooth sectioning technique was performed, and the affected molar was successfully delivered. Three months postextraction, the heifer had fully recovered, and the extraction site had healed. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a tooth extraction in a cow using a tooth sectioning technique. This case describes an alternative technique for tooth removal in cattle with an apical tooth infection. The clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features of this case may be helpful to clinicians when they approach similar cases in the future.
• Amitrano, F. N. (2016). Effect of hoof boots and toe-extension shoes on the forelimb kinetics of horses at the walk. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 77(5), 527-533.. doi:10.2460/ajvr.77.5.527.
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  To determine and compare the effect of hoof boots (HBs) and shoes with a toe extension on stance duration, ground reaction force, and sole length in contact with the ground in nonlame horses during walking.
• Amitrano, F. N. (2016). Osteomyelitis of the medial trochlear ridge of the talus in a horse. Equine Veterinary Education, 28(6), 299-303. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.12152
• Amitrano, F. N., Gutierrez-Nibeyro, S. D., & Schaeffer, D. J. (2016).

  Effect of hoof boots and toe-extension shoes on the forelimb kinetics of horses during walking

  . American Journal of Veterinary Research. doi:10.2460/ajvr.77.5.527
  More info

  Abstract OBJECTIVE To determine and compare the effect of hoof boots (HBs) and shoes with a toe extension on stance duration, ground reaction force, and sole length in contact with the ground in nonlame horses during walking. ANIMALS 6 nonlame Standardbreds. PROCEDURES Force plate gait analyses of the forelimbs were performed while the horses were walking barefoot before manipulation of feet (baseline), while the horses were walking fitted with HBs, while the horses were walking shod with toe-extension shoes, and while the horses were walking barefoot after shoe removal. Horses underwent radiography of both forelimb feet to determine the sole length in contact with the ground when barefoot, wearing HBs, and shod with toe-extension shoes. Stance duration, ground reaction force, and sole length were compared among the various walking sessions. RESULTS Compared with baseline findings, stance duration increased significantly when horses were fitted with HBs (7%) or toe-extension shoes (5%). Peak forelimb ground reaction force was similar among walking sessions; however, time of braking force peak was significantly greater during the stance phase only when horses wore HBs. Also, the sole length in contact with the ground was significantly longer in horses fitted with HBs (14.3 cm) or shod with the toe-extension shoes (17.6 cm), compared with that for one of the barefoot hooves (12.7 cm). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In nonlame horses, use of HBs prolonged the stance time and time of braking force peak, which is indicative of a slower deceleration phase during limb impact with the ground. Also, the use of HBs prolonged the deceleration phase of the stride and increased the sole length in contact with the ground.
• Amitrano, F. N. (2014). Radiographic diagnosis of craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in standing equids. Equine Veterinary Education, 26(5), 255-258. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.12156