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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Description of a Modified Two-Step Omphalectomy Technique Us...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(7); doi: 10.3390/ani15070981

Description of a Modified Two-Step Omphalectomy Technique Using the LigaSure™ Device to Remove the Whole Extrahepatic Umbilical Vein: A Case Series Study in Equine and Donkey Foals.

Abstract: Umbilical disorders are common in equids, although scarce information is available in donkeys compared to horses. Foals with these disturbances have high morbidity and mortality rates. The conventional omphalectomy technique does not remove the whole umbilical vein, which can lead to infection in the remnant vein or even liver abscess. At the moment, if the whole umbilical vein needs to be removed, a longer ventral midline incision must be performed, which is linked with several complications. This retrospective case series study focused on a modified two-step omphalectomy using the LigaSureTM device in each step in five neonate foals (4 horses and 1 donkey) with umbilical disorders. Using this modified technique, the whole umbilical vein (from the stump to the liver) can be removed without the need of incision extension. Two foals in this series had complications not related with the surgery and had to be euthanized. In the surviving foals (three of five), no long-term complications have been reported. Therefore, this modified two-step technique using the LigaSureTM device could be a suitable surgical option to decrease short- and long-term complications in neonate foals undergoing umbilical surgery. However, a multicentric prospective study on a larger number of animals is required.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-28 PubMed ID: 40218374PubMed Central: PMC11987979DOI: 10.3390/ani15070981Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study presents a modified two-step omphalectomy technique using the LigaSure device to entirely remove the umbilical vein in equine and donkey foals with umbilical disorders, leading to decreased complications during and after surgery.

Introduction and Background

  • Umbilical disorders, while common in equids, do not have much available information for donkeys as compared to horses. These disorders greatly increase morbidity and mortality rates in affected foals.
  • The conventional surgical technique, omphalectomy, fails to remove the entire umbilical vein. The remaining vein can become infected or form an abscess in the liver. If complete removal is necessary, a ventral midline incision has to be elongated, which is linked with several complications.

Methodology

  • This study utilized a retrospective case series research design, focusing on a modified two-step omphalectomy using the LigaSure device in each step on five neonate foals (four horses and one donkey) that had umbilical disorders.
  • The distinguishable feature of this modified technique was that it allowed the entire umbilical vein (from stump to liver) to be removed without needing to extend the incision.

Findings

  • Out of the five foals that underwent the modified technique, two foals experienced complications unrelated to the surgical procedure and had to be euthanized.
  • The three surviving foals had no reported long-term complications, pointing towards the effectiveness and safety of the modified technique.

Implications and Future Research

  • The LigaSure device and the modified two-step approach show promise as suitable surgical alternatives for decreasing immediate and long-term complications in neonate foals undergoing umbilical surgery.
  • The study concludes that multicentric prospective research on a larger number of animals is necessary to thoroughly establish the efficacy and viability of this new surgical approach.

Cite This Article

APA
Buzon-Cuevas A, Duaso J, Sanchez de Medina A, Sierra JM, Perez-Ecija A, Mendoza FJ. (2025). Description of a Modified Two-Step Omphalectomy Technique Using the LigaSure™ Device to Remove the Whole Extrahepatic Umbilical Vein: A Case Series Study in Equine and Donkey Foals. Animals (Basel), 15(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15070981

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 7

Researcher Affiliations

Buzon-Cuevas, Antonio
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Duaso, Juan
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Sanchez de Medina, Antonia
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Sierra, Juan M
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Perez-Ecija, Alejandro
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Mendoza, Francisco J
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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