Topic:Laparotomy
Laparotomy in horses refers to a surgical procedure involving an incision into the abdominal cavity. It is performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, such as exploring the abdomen, addressing colic, or removing foreign bodies. The procedure requires general anesthesia and is typically conducted in a sterile surgical environment. Post-operative care is critical to ensure proper healing and to monitor for potential complications, such as infection or adhesions. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the techniques, outcomes, and post-operative management associated with laparotomy in equine patients.
Influence of fluid therapy on gentamicin pharmacokinetics in colic horses. The aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin is commonly used in equine medicine for the prevention and treatment of Gram-negative and staphylococcal bacteria in surgically treated colic patients. The pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in these patients might be altered by the disease status, and/or under the influence of fluid therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intravenous fluid treatment on gentamicin kinetics in colic patients. Colic patients subjected to laparotomy were given fluid infusions according to clinical status. Following gentamicin administration, blood s...
Unilateral nephrectomy as a treatment for renal trauma in a foal. A 2-day-old Warmblood colt foal was referred for evaluation of progressive abdominal distension and lethargy. Haemoperitoneum was diagnosed and a ventral midline laparotomy revealed capsular rupture, sub capsular haematoma and haemorrhage of the left kidney. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed and the foal recovered uneventfully, with no reported complications 1 year later.
Hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in the mare. To develop a minimally invasive, hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy (HALS-OHE) technique in the mare and to evaluate safety and any associated complications. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Eight, 11-24-year-old mares with anatomically normal urogenital tracts. Methods: The surgical technique was developed in 2 non-survival mares and subsequently evaluated in 6 survival procedures. Food was withheld for 48 hours, then mares were anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency for laparoscopic surgery. A hand access device (Omniport) was placed followed by 4 laparoscopic porta...
Results of surgical treatment of colic in miniature breed horses: 11 cases. To report on the outcome of surgical treatment of acute abdominal crises in miniature breed horses. Methods: Retrospective case series of miniature horses presented to the University Veterinary Centre, Camden with an acute abdominal crisis. Methods: Hospital records of all miniature horses that underwent ventral midline laparotomy for acute abdominal crisis between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed. The signalment, history, clinical signs, results of ancillary diagnostic procedures, location and type of intestinal lesion, treatment and outcome were retrieved from each case record. Long-term survival...
The effect of general anesthesia and abdominal surgery upon plasma thromboxane B concentrations in horses. To compare the effect of anesthesia alone with anesthesia and abdominal surgery on plasma thromboxane B(2) concentrations in horses. Methods: Non-randomized experimental study. Methods: Six male mixed-bred horses (5-12 years, 350 +/- 18 kg). Methods: All horses were anesthetized for 2.5 hours using halothane, and a month later abdominal surgery was performed using the same anesthetic technique with a similar duration. The schedule of anesthesia included pre-medication with diazepam (0.1 mg kg(-1) IM), followed by xylazine (2.2 mg kg(-1) IV), and 10 minutes later anesthesia was induced with ket...
Complications in laparoscopic surgery. As laparoscopic surgery gains popularity, it becomes crucial to understand complications associated with the procedure. The potential complications of laparoscopy include those related to laparoscopy and those related to the surgical procedure. As new applications for laparoscopic surgery emerge, it is important for the surgeon to become familiar with potential complications.
In situ coagulation and transection of the ovarian pedicle: an alternative to laparoscopic ovariectomy in juvenile horses. The feasibility of leaving the ovaries within the peritoneal cavity after laparoscopic coagulation and transection of the ovarian pedicle was assessed in the juvenile horse. Elective ovariectomy was performed on 10 quarter horses, aged 4 to 5 mo, with the fillies in a Trendelenburg position. The mesovarium was isolated, and multiple coagulation and transection cycles were performed until all ovarian attachments had been severed. The ovaries were dropped within the abdomen, and hemostasis of the transected mesovarium was evaluated before closure. The mean surgical time was 33 min (range, 23 to ...
Laparoscopic repair of a small intestinal mesenteric rent in a broodmare. To describe standing laparoscopic repair of mesoduodenal rent inaccessible by ventral median celiotomy. Methods: Clinical case report. Methods: A 6-year-old Thoroughbred broodmare with a right displacement of the dorsal colon and small intestinal incarceration in a mesoduodenal rent. Methods: Two days after correction of a right dorsal displacement of the ascending colon, small intestinal incarceration, and partial closure of mesoduodenal rent, standing left and right flank laparoscopy was used to explore the abdomen to identify the mesoduodenal defect. The mesenteric rent was repaired from ri...
Complications associated with cannula insertion techniques used for laparoscopy in standing horses. To report our experience and complications associated with different cannula insertion techniques for laparoscopy in standing horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Forty horses that had laparoscopy for diagnostic or surgical purposes. Methods: After a physical examination, including rectal palpation, standing laparoscopy was performed in 40 sedated horses. Local anesthetic was injected at each site of cannula insertion in the left flank. Horses were divided into 5 groups: Pneumoperitoneum was induced before cannula insertion using a Verres needle (group 1, n = 3) or a 12-g catheter (g...
Hand-assisted laparoscopic left nephrectomy in standing horses. To describe a hand-assisted, laparoscopic technique to remove the left kidney in standing horses. Methods: Prospective evaluation. Methods: Eight horses. Methods: Food was withheld for a minimum of 12 hours. Horses were sedated with detomidine hydrochloride (0.01-0.02 mg/kg, intravenously) and restrained in standing stocks. The left paralumbar fossa was prepared for surgery, and the surgical site was infiltrated with 2% mepivacaine. Hand-assisted, laparoscopic removal of the left kidney was performed through an incision in the center of the paralumbar fossa; the surgeon's hand was used to isol...
Evaluation of the harmonic scalpel for laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy in standing horses. To evaluate use of the Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., Cincinnati, OH) for performing laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy in standing horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Eight mares aged 2-20 years and weighing 410-540 kg. Methods: Standing laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy was performed in 8 mares with normal reproductive tract anatomy. The Harmonic Scalpel (an ultrasonically activated instrument) was used to simultaneously transect and obtain hemostasis of the ovarian pedicle. Necropsy was performed on 4 mares 3 days after surgery and 4 mares 30 days after surgery. Gro...
Pregnancies attained after collection and transfer of oocytes from ovaries of five euthanatized mares. After euthanasia, ovaries were removed from 5 horses and shipped to a laboratory where 46 oocytes were collected. The oocytes were cultured for 24 to 30 hours, and 36 oocytes were transferred to 10 recipient mares via flank laparotomies. Recipient mares were inseminated with semen from various stallions. Sixteen days after transfer, 4 of the recipients were pregnant with at least 1 embryonic vesicle. Embryonic death occurred in 3 recipients, whereas a healthy live foal was born from 1 recipient. Ovaries from valuable mares can be a source of viable oocytes after death of the mare. For shipping...
[Colic surgery in the horse: a retrospective study of 272 patients]. In the period from January 1995 until December 2000, 272 horses underwent a laparotomy for gastrointestinal disorders. The results of these surgeries were evaluated. From these 272 patients 176 (= 65%) were discharged in good health from the hospital. When the patients that were euthanized immediately after the start of the surgery, because of a fatal deterioration, were not taken into account, the short time survival rate was 77%. Strangulated small and large intestinal obstructions (48%) had a lower short time survival rate than non-strangulated obstructions (87%). Fatal postoperative compli...
Use of a high-molecular-weight carboxymethylcellulose in a tissue protective solution for prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesions in ponies. To evaluate efficacy and safety of IP administration of high-molecular-weight carboxymethylcellulose (HMW CMC) for the prevention of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in ponies. Methods: 10 ponies. Methods: A 1% solution of HMW CMC was instilled intra-abdominally prior to surgery in 5 ponies, whereas 5 control ponies did not receive HMW CMC. Postoperative adhesions were induced by use of a bowel-abrasion method comprising laparotomy, typhlotomy, and abrasion of jejunal serosa at multiple sites with placement of 3 sutures at each site. Day of surgery was day 0. After surgery, ponies were ...
Laparoscopic closure of the renosplenic space in standing horses. To report a technique for laparoscopic ablation of the renosplenic space in standing horses. Methods: Development of a technique to perform laparoscopic renosplenic space ablation in standing horses. Methods: Five healthy horses, aged 3 to 13 years, weighing 380 to 520 kg. Methods: Horses were restrained in standing stocks and sedated with detomidine (0.01 mg/kg intravenously [IV]) and butorphanol (0.01 mg/kg IV). Portal sites in the left paralumbar fossa were infiltrated with 2% mepivacaine. A laparoscopic portal was placed between the 17th and the 18th ribs. Two instrument portals were locat...
Laparoscopic ovariectomy using sequential electrocoagulation and sharp transection of the equine mesovarium. To describe in horses and ponies a laparoscopic ovariectomy technique facilitated by electrosurgical instrumentation. Methods: Elective ovariectomy was performed in 23 mares using laparoscopic electrosurgical instrumentation. Methods: Twenty-three mares (13 horses, 10 ponies), aged from 2 to 21 years and weighing 90 to 545 kg. Methods: Food was withheld for a minimum of 12 hours. Mares were sedated with detomidine hydrochloride (0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg) or xylazine hydrochloride (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg). Excluding the pony mares, all other mares were restrained in stocks. Portal sites in the paralumbar f...
Laparoscopic surgical technique for repair of rectal and colonic tears in horses: an experimental study. To determine the efficacy of laparoscopic surgical techniques for repair of rectal lacerations in horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Thirty-two segments of equine bowel placed in an equine pelvitrainer, 8 equine cadavers, and 3 normal horses. Methods: In experiment 1, 3 laparoscopic intestinal-repair techniques were evaluated in an equine pelvitrainer: suturing with needle holders, with an automatic suture device, and stapling with a hernia stapler. In experiment 2, descending colon lacerations were sutured laparoscopically using needle holders in a pelvitrainer and in equine cadave...
Embryo production by ovum pick up from live donors. Embryo production by in vitro techniques has increased steadily over the years. For cattle where this technology is more advanced and is applied more, the number of in vitro produced embryos transferred to final recipients was over 30,000 in 1998. An increasing proportion of in vitro produced embryos are coming from oocytes collected from live donors by ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration (ovum pick up, OPU). This procedure allows the repeated production of embryos from live donors of particular value and is a serious alternative to superovulation. Ovum pick up is a very flexible technique...
Effects of intraluminal distention and decompression on microvascular permeability and hemodynamics of the equine jejunum. To determine whether intraluminal distention and subsequent decompression of the equine jejunum affects intestinal blood flow, hemodynamics, and microvascular permeability. Methods: 5 healthy adu t horses. Methods: Horses were anesthestized and underwent exploratory laparotomy. Two jejunal segments were identified as sham-operated or instrumented segments. After baseline values were obtained, intraluminal distention was created in the experimental segment to induce an ntraluminal pressure of 18 cm H2O. After 120 minutes of distention, the intestine was decompressed for 120 minutes. Mesenteric ...
Segmental eosinophilic colitis: a review of 22 cases. Twenty-two horses with colic, referred to the University of Liverpool Equine Hospital (1992-1998), were found at laparotomy to have a partial obstruction of the large colon caused by a segmental mural lesion located in the left dorsal colon. The decision to take the horses to surgery was based on rectal examination findings of secondary impaction and mural oedema of the large colon and turbid peritoneal fluid containing large numbers of neutrophils obtained by paracentesis. The affected segment of colon showed oedema and serosal changes varying from erythema to well-defined necrosis. These pat...
Use of oocyte transfer in a commercial breeding program for mares with reproductive abnormalities. In some mares with lesions of the reproductive tract, embryo collection and survival rates are low, or collection of embryos is not feasible. For these mares, oocyte transfer has been proposed as a method to induce pregnancies. In this report, a method for oocyte transfer in mares and results of oocyte transfer performed over 2 breeding seasons, using mares with long histories of subfertility and various reproductive lesions, are described. Human chorionic gonadotropin or an implant containing a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog was used to initiate follicular and oocyte maturation. Oocyte...
Entrapment of the small colon through a mesocolic rent in a mare. A 6-year-old mare was presented for acute abdominal pain unresponsive to analgesics. Exploratory laparotomy revealed entrapment of the small colon through a 12 cm rent in the mesocolon. The incarcerated small colon was manually reduced and the rent in the mesocolon was sutured closed. The mare made excellent postoperative recovery and was discharged from the hospital 4 days later. The cause of the rent, which was chronic in appearance, is unknown.
Birth of a foal after oocyte transfer to a nonovulating, hormone-treated recipient mare. A nonovulating, hormone-treated mare was used successfully as an oocyte recipient. The mare's ovarian activity was suppressed using progesterone and estrogen treatment. This treatment was stopped, then estrogen was administered for 3 d prior to the transfer. An oocyte was recovered from the follicle of a donor mare and was transferred via flank laparotomy into the recipient's oviduct. The recipient mare was inseminated 7 h before transfer. The recipient was treated with intramuscular progesterone from the day after transfer until 47 d after transfer, and then with oral altrenogest until 150 d ...
Effect of timing of follicle aspiration on pregnancy rate after oocyte transfer in mares. Mares with preovulatory follicles >33 mm in diameter were administered hCG and were randomly assigned for aspiration of the dominant follicle at 24 h or 35 h after hCG administration. Oocytes recovered at 24 h were cultured for 12 h before transfer and oocytes recovered at 35 h were cultured for 1 h. Oocytes were transferred by flank laparotomy to the oviduct of the same mare, or to the oviduct of another oocyte donor. Recipient mares were inseminated before and after transfer. The oocyte recovery rates at 24 h and 35 h after hCG administration were not significantly different (10/15 (66%) and...
Intestinal adenocarcinoma causing recurrent colic in the horse. An 8-year-old, Thoroughbred-cross mare presented with recurrent colic. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large mass near the right dorsal colon; white, raised foci on the liver; and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Cytological examination of biopsies revealed neoplastic cells. The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was confirmed by histological examination.
Laparoscopically assisted resection of umbilical structures in foals. A technique for laparoscopically assisted resection of umbilical structures in foals was developed. Eleven foals ranging from 8 to 42 days old underwent this procedure. Results of bacteriologic culture of umbilical structures were positive in 7 foals. Mean duration of anesthesia was 99 minutes, of which the initial 20 to 25 minutes were typically devoted to positioning and preparation of the foal for surgery. Major complications did not develop in any foal. Minor complications, such as slippage of the endoscopic ligating clip or laceration of the bladder during dissection, were dealt with succ...
Surgical repair of a diaphragmatic hernia in a racehorse. A 9-year-old Thoroughbred was evaluated for clinical signs of acute abdominal pain. During laparotomy, a rent in the diaphragm and herniation of the small intestine into the thoracic cavity were detected. Because edges of the rent were smooth and fibrous, which suggested the defect was chronic, the abdomen was closed without repairing the rent. After recurrence of clinical signs, a second laparotomy was performed, during which the intestines were found to have reherniated. The diaphragmatic rent was repaired, using a polypropylene mesh secured with stainless steel staples. The horse recovered ...