Laparoscopy in horses is a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves the use of a laparoscope to examine the abdominal cavity. This technique allows veterinarians to diagnose and treat various conditions with reduced recovery times compared to traditional open surgery. Laparoscopy is commonly used for procedures such as cryptorchidectomy, ovariectomy, and the investigation of colic. The approach involves making small incisions through which the laparoscope and surgical instruments are inserted, enabling visual assessment and manipulation of internal structures. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the applications, methodologies, and outcomes of laparoscopic procedures in equine veterinary medicine.
Dechant JE, Hendrickson DA.Standing female urogenital endoscopic surgery is facilitated by the more dorsal location of the organs of the female reproduction tract. The most common reason for laparoscopic surgery on the female urogenital system is ovariectomy; however, the technique has been used to diagnose periparturient or reproductive diseases and to perform surgical embryo transfer. Standing surgical approaches avoid the risk and expense of general anesthesia, but these techniques are limited by the temperament and size of the patient and the availability of facilities for restraint. Owner acceptance of laparoscopic...
Estrada A, Samper JC, Lillich JD, Rathi RR, Brault LS, Albrecht BB, Imel MM, Senne EM.A 3-year-old Quarter Horse halter stallion was referred for routine semen evaluation. Physically, the stallion's reproductive organs appeared normal. Repeated semen evaluations did not reveal any spermatozoa. Because high activities of alkaline phosphatase are detected in the epididymal fluid and indicative of complete ejaculation, alkaline phosphatase activities were analyzed in several samples, which yielded activities far less than reference values and suggested a blockage of the reproductive tract. Endoscopic evaluation of the urethra and the bulbourethral, prostate, and urethral gland duc...
Latimer FG, Eades SC, Pettifer G, Tetens J, Hosgood G, Moore RM.Abdominal insufflation is performed routinely during laparoscopy in horses to improve visualisation and facilitate instrument and visceral manipulations during surgery. It has been shown that high-pressure pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide (CO2) has deleterious cardiopulmonary effects in dorsally recumbent, mechanically ventilated, halothane-anaesthetised horses. There is no information on the effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on cardiopulmonary function and haematology, plasma chemistry and peritoneal fluid (PF) variables in standing sedated horses during laparoscopic surgery. Objective: To ...
Walesby HA, Ragle CA, Booth LC.A 12-year-old stallion was evaluated because of pollakiuria; endoscopy of the urinary tract during general anesthesia revealed that the urinary bladder was intact. After recovery, the stallion developed clinical and biochemical signs of bladder rupture, which was confirmed by endoscopy. Cystoplasty in adult stallions represents a unique surgical dilemma; the large distance between the incision site and the bladder necessitates the repair be accomplished under maximum tension with minimal exposure. Because traditional surgical approaches through ventral midline or paramedian incisions provide l...
Hanrath M, Rodgerson DH.To describe a technique for laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in standing horses using electrosurgical instrumentation. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Ten horses, 1 to 7 years of age, with unilaterally or bilaterally retained testes. Methods: Food was withheld for a minimum of 12 to 24 hours. Horses were sedated using xylazine hydrochloride (0.5 to 1 mg/kg) and butorphanol tartrate (0.02 mg/kg) or detomidine hydrochloride (0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg) and restrained in standing stocks. Three portal sites in the paralumbar fossae were locally desensitized using 2% mepivacaine. After trocar...
Bouré LP, Pearce SG, Kerr CL, Lansdowne JL, Martin CA, Hathway AL, Caswell JL.To assess the efficacy of laparoscopic adhesiolysis in the treatment of experimentally induced adhesions in foals. Methods: 8 healthy pony foals. Methods: Celiotomy was performed and adhesions created at the jejunoileal junction and at sites 0.5 and 1 m proximal to this junction, using a serosal abrasion method. Ten days after celiotomy, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed in the treatment group only (4 foals, randomly selected). Thirty days after the exploratory laparoscopy, a final laparoscopic examination was performed, and the foals were euthanati...
McCue PM, Hendrickson DA, Hess MB.To develop a technique for laparoscopic tubal (oviductal) ligation and to evaluate pregnancy rates for mares that ovulated ipsilateral or contralateral to the ligated oviduct. Methods: Randomized prospective clinical trial comparing pregnancy rates after unilateral laparoscopic tubal ligation. Methods: Twelve mares of light horse breeds. Methods: One oviduct in each of 6 mares was surgically ligated with a laparoscopic technique; 6 other mares served as nonligated controls. Mares with unilateral tubal ligations (UTL) were inseminated with 500 million progressively motile sperm during 1 cycle w...
Trumble TN, Ingle-Fehr J, Hendrickson DA.A 364-kg (800-lb) 1-year-old mixed-breed horse was admitted for treatment of uncontrolled bleeding after castration. Multiple attempts to ligate the testicular artery through the scrotal incisions prior to referral had been unsuccessful. Because of the owner's concerns about cost, an attempt was made to control the bleeding by applying pressure to the inguinal region and administering formalin IV. However, hemorrhage continued. A decision was made to use laparoscopy to ligate the testicular artery. The horse was anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency, and a routine ventral laparoscop...
Rodgerson DH, Hanson RR.Suture ligature failure is a potential complication during laparoscopic ovariectomy techniques utilizing ligatures as a means of hemostasis. This complication in the standing mare and the successful use of laparoscopic electrosurgical instrumentation as the sole means of providing hemostasis to the mesovarium of a mare are described.
Mehl ML, Ragle CA, Mealey RH, Whooten TL.A 5-year-old Quarter Horse was examined after it developed signs of abdominal discomfort as a result of a training accident. Oral mucous membranes were pale, and capillary refill time was > 3 seconds. Hematologically, the PCV was low, and abdominocentesis yielded a serosanguineous fluid. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed and revealed a large hypoechoic mass associated with the cranial margin of the spleen. Because differentiation between subcapsular hematoma and extracapsular hematoma could not be made with certainty, further evaluation of the spleen was indicated. Abdominal laparosco...
Donaldson LL, Trostle SS, White NA.The use of laparoscopy for the diagnosis or therapeutic management of abdominal disease in the horse has distinct advantages when it allows the horse to remain standing. However, distending the abdomen by insufflation of a biologically active gas in an anaesthetised horse may add to the physiological challenge of general anaesthesia and recumbency. The cardiopulmonary responses to abdominal insufflation with carbon dioxide (CO2) to 15 mmHg pressure were evaluated in 6 horses in dorsal recumbency anaesthetised with halothane in oxygen and subjected to laparoscopic colopexy. Vaporiser settings t...
Bouré L, Marcoux M, Lavoie JP, Laverty S.Exploratory laparoscopy of the right dorsal portion of the abdominal cavity was performed on a Standardbred filly because of signs of mild abdominal pain of 7 days' duration. On the basis of clinical examination, diagnosis was suppurative peritonitis, abdominal adhesions in the area of the right ovary, and right displacement and impaction of the pelvic flexure of the ascending colon. During laparoscopy, an abdominal adhesion between the right uterine horn, the cecum, and the pelvic flexure was identified. The abdominal adhesions were either stretched with laparoscopic forceps used as a probe o...
Ragle CA, Southwood LL, Howlett MR.To report a ventral abdominal approach and a ligating loop technique for laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in horses. Methods: Prospective. Methods: Six horses, aged 1 to 5 years, with retained testes. Methods: One laparoscopic portal and three to four instrument portals were used for ventral abdominal laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy. Laparoscopic instruments were used to maneuver and secure the testis through a ligating loop (modified Roeder knot) that was secured from outside the abdominal cavity. Only minimal enlargement of one instrument portal was used to remove the testicle. Results: Three h...
Fischer AT.Recent advances in the use of abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, laparoscopy, radiography, and peritoneal fluid analysis have contributed to the evaluation of horses with colic. Improved diagnostic capabilities allow earlier surgical intervention when necessary, and this should improve survival rates and the economic aspects of case management.
Hendrickson DA, Wilson DG.This article describes a new technique for laparoscopic cryptorchid castration in standing horses. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Eight horses aged 11 months to 3 years and weighing between 300 and 643 kg. Methods: Food was withheld for 24 to 36 hours, and then horses were sedated with detomidine HCl (0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg) and butorphanol tartrate (0.02 mg/kg). The paralumbar fossa region was desensitized with 2% mepivacaine in an inverted "L" pattern and caudal epidural anesthesia was administered with either xylazine (0.18 mg/kg diluted to 10 to 15 mL with 0.9% sodium chloride) or a comb...
Bouré L, Marcoux M, Laverty S.Eleven foals (nine cadavers and two anesthetized) positioned in dorsal recumbency were examined to describe normal abdominal anatomy viewed by laparoscopy. The foals ages ranged from 1 to 150 days. Insertion sites were selected for a Verres needle, laparoscope and instrument portals to avoid trauma to the umbilical structures. The abdominal cavity was insufflated to a pressure of 10 to 12 mm Hg using an automatic carbon dioxide insufflator. Laparoscopic examination allowed excellent observation of the umbilical structures, the bladder, the genital tract, the inguinal area, the liver and segmen...
Galuppo LD, Snyder JR, Pascoe JR, Stover SM, Morgan R.To provide an accurate and detailed description of the laparoscopic anatomy of the abdomen of horses positioned in dorsal recumbency and to compare those observations with laparoscopic anatomy of standing horses. The effects of laparoscopy and positional changes on arterial blood pressure and blood gas values also were investigated. Methods: Descriptive anatomic study. Methods: Laparoscopy was performed on 6 horses (2 mares, 2 geldings, and 2 stallions) to record the normal laparoscopic anatomy of the abdomen in dorsal recumbency. Methods: Feed was withheld from all horses for 36 hours. Horses...
Fischer AT, Vachon AM, Klein SR.Two mature stallions that were used for breeding purposes were admitted for evaluation of inguinal hernias. In 1 horse, the hernia was reduced per rectum by gentle traction applied to the intestine. In the other horse, the hernia was reduced by placing the horse in dorsal recumbency and applying external pressure over the scrotum. Both horses were observed for recurrence of the hernia. Seven days later, an elective laparoscopic technique for inguinal herniorrhaphy was performed on each horse, using polypropylene mesh. Complications did not develop, and both horses have successfully completed 2...
Galuppo LD, Snyder JR, Pascoe JR.Laparoscopy was performed on 6 horses (2 mares, 2 geldings, 2 stallions) to determine the normal laparoscopic anatomy of the equine abdomen. After withholding feed for 36 hours, horses were examined from the left and right paralumbar fossae, and the visceral anatomic structures were recorded by videotape and photography. One mare developed emphysema located subcutaneously at the primary laparoscopic portal; otherwise, there were no complications. The anatomic structures of diagnostic importance that were observed in the left half of the abdomen were the hepatic duct; left lateral and quadrate ...
Fischer AT.Laparoscopic procedures can replace many more invasive procedures. Guided visceral biopsy, cryptorchid castration, ovariectomy, and limited abdominal exploration may be done laparoscopically in the standing horse.
Fischer AT.Evaluation of the horse with colic has always been challenging since the patient's large size precludes many of the diagnostic imaging procedures commonly used in human medicine. Diagnostic methods such as radiography, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and peritoneal fluid analysis can serve to increase the accuracy of presurgical evaluation. Prognosis in individual cases can be best predicted by careful analysis of selected clinicopathological data, physical examination findings, and surgical biopsies. However, no predictive model is 100 per cent accurate, and clinicians must continue to rely on clinic...
Traub-Dargatz JL, McKinnon AO.Included in this article are descriptions of adjunctive methods of examination of the urogenital tract, including ultrasonography of the kidneys, urinary bladder, ovaries and uterus; endoscopy of the urethra, urinary bladder, and uterus; contrast radiography of the urinary tract; kidney biopsy; and laparoscopy of the abdomen, emphasizing examination of the mare's reproductive tract.
Kerr CL, Bouré LP, Pearce SG, McDonell WN.To evaluate cardiopulmonary effects of anesthetic induction with diazepam and ketamine or xylazine and ketamine, with subsequent maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, in foals undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: 17 pony foals. Methods: Foals underwent laparotomy at 7 to 15 days of age and laparoscopy 7 to 10 days later. Foals were randomly assigned to receive diazepam, ketamine, and isoflurane (D/K/Iso; n = 8) or xylazine, ketamine, and isoflurane (X/K/Iso; 9) for both procedures. Results: During anesthesia for laparotomy, cardiac index, and mean arterial blood pressure ranged from 110...
Martens A, Haardt H.Laparoscopy can be valuable in the diagnosis and treatment of specific types of colic in horses. Most commonly, it is used for horses with chronic recurrent colic for further diagnosis, such as by taking biopsies or to perform treatment. Laparoscopy is also often used for prevention of colic, for example, by closing the nephrosplenic space or epiploic foramen. There are fewer indications for laparoscopy in acute colic, though in some cases the technique can be useful for diagnosis, after which the procedure is converted to a hand-assisted laparoscopy. However, manipulation of the intestine is ...
Ragle CA.The ventral abdominal approach for laparoscopy is versatile. Reported techniques using a ventral approach in the mare include bilateral ovariectomy and granulosa cell tumor removal. Laparoscopic ovariectomy is performed by way of four instrument portals in the caudoventral aspect of the insufflated abdomen. The procedure has several advantages over the traditional approaches of colpotomy and celiotomy, including tension-free closure of all incisions and minimal invasiveness.
Fischer AT.Evaluation of the horse with colic has always been challenging since the patient's large size precludes many of the diagnostic imaging procedures commonly used in human medicine. Diagnostic methods such as radiography, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and peritoneal fluid analysis can serve to increase the accuracy of presurgical evaluation. Prognosis in individual cases can be best predicted by careful analysis of selected clinicopathological data, physical examination findings, and surgical biopsies. However, no predictive model is 100 per cent accurate, and clinicians must continue to rely on clinic...
Hendrickson D.Laparoscopic surgery has become commonplace in the field of equine urogenital surgery. As with most surgical procedures, the limiting factors in developing new surgical techniques are limited to the patient size and demeanor, the skills of the surgeon, and the available equipment. Some of the greatest benefits of laparoscopic surgery in the horse include better visualization of the important structures; tension-free amputation of the testes or ovaries,which generally leads to less postoperative pain; and the ability to evaluate the transected stump carefully to make sure there is no hemorrhage...
Alonso Jde M, Rodrigues KA, Yamada AL, Watanabe MJ, Alves AL, Rodrigues CA, Hussni CA.Heparin is routinely administered in postoperative abdominal surgery aiming to prevent adhesions formation; however, there is no consensus indicating its effectiveness. This study evaluated the effect of heparin on peritoneal reactivity after abdominal surgery, through the association between peritoneal fluid features and ultrasonographic and laparoscopic examination. Ten adult horses were used: control group (CG) and treated group (TG). Both groups underwent laparotomy and small colon enterotomy. TG received subcutaneous heparin at 150 IU/kg every 12 hours for 5 days. The animals underwent ...
Delcazo M, Geburek F, Köhler K, Röcken M, Theiss F.To report the diagnostic findings and laparoscopic removal of an exostosis of the os pubis in a horse. Methods: Case report. Methods: One 12-year-old Black Forest draught gelding. Methods: History included recurrent colic before and during urination and poor performance. Findings at rectal examination included a pointed osseous prominence adjacent to the symphysis of the pecten ossis pubis. Cystoscopy revealed that this prominence caused a protrusion of the bladder wall into the lumen. Standing laparoscopy and laparoscopy under general anesthesia were performed. Results: After a failed attempt...
McCue PM, Hendrickson DA, Hess MB.To develop a technique for laparoscopic tubal (oviductal) ligation and to evaluate pregnancy rates for mares that ovulated ipsilateral or contralateral to the ligated oviduct. Methods: Randomized prospective clinical trial comparing pregnancy rates after unilateral laparoscopic tubal ligation. Methods: Twelve mares of light horse breeds. Methods: One oviduct in each of 6 mares was surgically ligated with a laparoscopic technique; 6 other mares served as nonligated controls. Mares with unilateral tubal ligations (UTL) were inseminated with 500 million progressively motile sperm during 1 cycle w...
Rijkenhuizen ABM, van der Harst MR.Standing laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy has been shown to be a reliable method of castration in animals with abdominal cryptorchidism, but it cannot be recommended as a method of castration in those with inguinal cryptorchidism or normal males. An alternative laparoscopic method for the castration of horses with descended testes was developed. Objective: To report the results of laparoscopy-assisted abdominal transection of the spermatic cord and a modified open method in the standing horse for castration of descended testes in unilateral abdominal cryptorchids. Methods: Descript...
Straticò P, Hattab J, Guerri G, Carluccio A, Bandera L, Celani G, Marruchella G, Varasano V, Petrizzi L.Owner complaints of estrus-related behavior in mares are a common cause of referral for laparoscopic ovariectomy. Granulosa cell tumors are a common neoplastic condition affecting the equine ovary, causing behavioral changes at rest and reduced performance. The reported success rate of ovariectomy in treating behavioral disorders is 64-86%. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the long-term follow-up of laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares in our case series, focusing on the owner's perspective of the behavior of the mares after surgery. In addition, the histopathological feature...
Lund CM, Ragle CA, Lutter JD.An 11-year-old Arabian gelding was evaluated for hematuria, stranguria, and pollakiuria that had been observed for 1 week. Results: Transrectal palpation revealed a 5-cm firm round mass in the urinary bladder. Cystoscopy and transrectal ultrasonography confirmed the diagnosis of urinary bladder urolithiasis. Results: A multiportal transparalumbar fossa laparoscopic approach was selected for cystotomy and urolith removal. Cystotomy and urolith removal was performed with sedation and local anesthesia with the horse standing. No perioperative complications were observed. Urination returned to nor...
Bouré L, Marcoux M, Laverty S.Eleven foals (nine cadavers and two anesthetized) positioned in dorsal recumbency were examined to describe normal abdominal anatomy viewed by laparoscopy. The foals ages ranged from 1 to 150 days. Insertion sites were selected for a Verres needle, laparoscope and instrument portals to avoid trauma to the umbilical structures. The abdominal cavity was insufflated to a pressure of 10 to 12 mm Hg using an automatic carbon dioxide insufflator. Laparoscopic examination allowed excellent observation of the umbilical structures, the bladder, the genital tract, the inguinal area, the liver and segmen...
Collar EM, Duesterdieck-Zellmer KF, Huber MJ, Semevolos SA, Parker JE, Husby KA.To assess outcomes and behavior changes associated with bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomies. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Fifty-one equids. Methods: Medical records were evaluated from equid bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomies from January 2012 to October 2018 with a potential of 6 months follow-up. Follow-up information obtained by telephone interviews included behavior before and after surgery. Likelihood ratio chi-square tests and odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were calculated where applicable, with statistical significance at p < .05. Results: Bilateral ovariectomy was pe...
Quéré E, Bourzac C, Farfan M, Losada A, Volmer C, Mespoulhès-Rivière C.An 18-year-old French Trotter mare was presented to the Clinique Equine, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, for exploration of a 3-month-duration vaginal bleeding. A transrectal ultrasound examination identified a mass within the right uterine horn wall, which had been suspected during transrectal palpation. It was described as a firm heterogeneous intramural mass (7 × 12 cm) in the right uterine horn, located few centimeters cranially to the bifurcation. Hysteroscopy confirmed the ulcerated and irregular shape of the mass. A standing hand-assisted flank laparoscopy was performed to ca...
Van Dijk P, Lankveld D, Rijkenhuizen A, Jonker FH.To assess the hormonal, metabolic and physiological effects of laparascopic surgery performed under a sedative analgesic combination of detomidine and buprenorphine in standing horses. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Eight healthy adult Dutch Warmblood horses and five healthy adult ponies undergoing laparoscopy were studied. Five healthy adult horses not undergoing laparoscopy were used as a control group. Methods: The sedative effect of an initial detomidine and buprenorphine injection was maintained using a continuous infusion of detomidine alone. The heart and respiratory rate, arteria...
Alford C, Hanson R.To report natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) using laparoscopic and endoscopic instrumentation transvaginally into the mare's abdomen and identify structures visible using this approach. Methods: Descriptive experimental study. Methods: Mares (n=8). Methods: A standing, transvaginal approach was made in the cranial vaginal vault at either the 1 (right; 4 mares) or 11 (left; 4 mares) o'clock position relative to the cervix. The abdomen was visually explored and the viscera evaluated using a 2 m flexible endoscope followed by a 62 cm laparoscope. Incisional healing was monit...
Munsterman AS, Kottwitz JJ, Reid Hanson R.To determine the efficacy of adhesion barriers in horses using quantitative statistical analysis. Methods: Meta-analytical review. Methods: A search using PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was performed, followed by secondary searches of veterinary trade journals, bibliographies of relevant articles, manufacturer websites, and technical reference guides. Randomized experimental trials in healthy horses were considered that included both a treatment and control group. The endpoint required was euthanasia or laparoscopy to identify adhesion formation. A meta-analysis was performed using a random...
Delli-Rocili MM, Cribb NC, Trout DR, Thomason JJ, Valverde A.To compare the effectiveness of a paravertebral nerve block vs local portal blocks for laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space in standing sedated research horses. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: Twelve horses were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 6 per group), paravertebral block of nerves T , L , and L or local blocks of the three laparoscopic portals. Methods: Horses were sedated with dexmedetomidine (4 μg/kg IV and constant rate infusion [CRI] of 2.5 μg/kg/h) and morphine (50 μg/kg IV and CRI of 30 μg/kg/h). According to group allocation, 20 mL of either lid...
Cribb NC, Arroyo LG, Bouré L.The use of a laparoscopic suction-irrigation device in 2 standing horses for lavage of the abdomen for the treatment of primary suppurative peritonitis is reported. Two horses were presented with a 1- to 2-week history of weight loss. Abdominocentesis revealed highly elevated total nucleated cell count. Peritoneal lavage systems were placed in both horses, but complications prevented adequate lavage. Both horses underwent standing laparoscopy; the dorsal abdomen was explored and the abdomen was profusely lavaged, using a suction-irrigation device. The procedure was efficient and allowed adequa...
Fernández-Hernández P, Valero-González M, Fuentes-Romero B, Iglesias-García M, Ezquerra-Calvo LJ, Martín-Cuervo M, Macías-García B.Currently, for in vitro embryo production in live mares, immature oocytes are retrieved by transvaginal follicular aspiration or ovum pick up (OPU). Occasionally, ovarian abscesses have been described after OPU, but no current consensus exists on how to treat this condition. Objective: To describe diagnosis and successful treatment of ovarian abscesses in two mares subjected to OPU. Methods: Case report. Methods: Case records were reviewed and summarised. Results: In the first case, a pony mare showed tachypnoea, tachycardia, high temperature, leukocytosis, left hindlimb lameness and slight in...
Recchi L, Cribb N, Côté N, Dubois MS, Koenig J, Valverde A, Monteith G.Antimicrobial stewardship has shown significant development in recent years. Perioperative prophylaxis accounts for a substantial volume of antimicrobial use and is a field in which improvements can likely be made. The objective of this study was to evaluate practices associated with perioperative antimicrobial use in equine elective laparoscopy at a single institution over a 21-year period and to determine whether antimicrobial therapy influenced the occurrence of postoperative complications. Medical records of horses that underwent elective laparoscopy at a teaching hospital from January 200...
