A comparison of peritoneal fluid values in mares following bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy using a vessel sealing and dividing device versus placement of two ligating loops.

This research aims to look at the effect of a particular type of horse ovary removal surgery on peritoneal fluid values and compares the outcomes between two different approaches to the surgery. The findings indicate that both techniques resulted in increased values for inflammation markers, but the method using a vessel sealing and dividing device led to significantly higher protein concentrations in the abdominal fluid post-operation compared to using ligating loops.

Objective of the Study

• The main purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy (a surgical procedure to remove both ovaries) on the peritoneal fluid values in mares (female horses). It also aimed to compare these effects between two different techniques of ovarian vessel hemostasis (stopping the flow of blood).

Study Design and Methodology

• Ten mares were involved in this randomized clinical study. All of them were subjected to standing bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy.
• During surgery, the blood vessels within the mesovarium (the connective tissue that carries vessels to the ovaries) were either sealed and separated using a vessel sealing and dividing device (VSDD) or tied off with two loops prior to having the mesovarium separated using laparoscopic scissors.
• The ovaries were then removed through the horse’s body wall on the side corresponding to each ovary.
• To measure the levels of peritoneal inflammation, abdominocentesis (a procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen) was carried out before the surgery and 24 and 72 hours afterward. The research team then analyzed the total nucleated cell count, total protein (TP), and red blood cell count.

Findings of the Study

• Markers of inflammation in the peritoneal fluid, including total nucleated cell count, TP, and red blood cell count, were found to have increased across the board post-operation when compared to pre-operation levels.
• The mean TP for the VSDD group was around 4.14 g/dL, while for the ligating loop group, it was slightly lower at approximately 3.18 g/dL.
• When the VSDD was used, significantly higher TP concentrations were found in the abdominal fluid at 24 hours and 72 hours post-surgery compared to the ligating loop method. Hence, use of the VSDD was resulted with higher protein concentrations in the abdominal fluid after the operation.