Foaling rates after surgical repair of ventral cervical lacerations using a Trendelenburg position in 18 anesthetized mares.

The research article discusses a surgical method for repairing cervical lacerations in mares and the subsequent success in fertility and birthing. The procedure involves putting the mares under anaesthesia and on an incline. The findings suggest that the technique is effective and has minimal impact on the mares’ ability to conceive and deliver healthy offspring.

Introduction and Methodology

• The objective of the research was to describe a surgical procedure for the repair of cervical lacerations in mares and to report the conception and foaling rates post-repair.
• The study involved 18 mares with such lacerations.
• The novel aspect of this surgery is the use of Trendelenburg position, in which the animal’s body is tilted with its head down and feet up.
• The lacerations were repaired in two layers. First, the cervix was retracted using stay-sutures. Then the healed margins of the laceration were excised. After this, the internal cervical mucosa and fibromuscular tissue were stitched together using a continuous Lembert pattern.
• The external cervical mucosa was sutured using a simple-continuous suture pattern.

Results and Conclusion

• The surgery took an average of 22 minutes for one laceration and 29 minutes for two lacerations.
• Out of the 18 mares treated, 9 successfully conceived post-operatively and 7 delivered at least one healthy foal.
• The research concludes that the Trendelenburg position allows for an efficient surgical repair of ventrally located cervical lacerations in mares under anesthesia.
• The data also suggests that post-surgical conception and foaling rates are promising, which underlines the clinical importance of this technique for the treatment of such conditions in mares.