En bloc auriculectomy and lateral wall resection to treat squamous cell carcinoma in a horse

Summary A 32‐year‐old pony gelding was presented for recurrent growth of a mass at the inner aspect of the right pinna. Previous treatments included repeated surgical debulking and cryosurgery. Following biopsy, a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was made. Due to the recurrence of the lesion and further expansion at the level of the inner pinna, auriculectomy and lateral wall resection were performed under standing sedation and local anaesthesia. The lesion was excised in toto and the base of the pinna cartilage was preserved. The horse made a full recovery with no recurrence observed 12 months postoperatively. This case describes the successful surgical excision of an auricular SCC in a horse under standing sedation and local anaesthesia. The procedure was well tolerated; no major intra‐ or postoperative complications were encountered, and the horse made a full recovery.