Hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in the mare.

The researchers developed and tested a minimally invasive hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy (HALS-OHE) procedure in mares, assessing its safety and possible associated complications.

Objective and Methodology

• The goal was to establish a procedure that is less invasive than traditional methods of ovariohysterectomy in mares. This procedure involves removing the ovaries and uterus of the mare.
• The surgical technique was first tested on two non-survival mares and later six mares underwent the survival procedures.
• The mares used in the study were between the ages of 11 and 24 and all had anatomically normal urogenital tracts.
• Prior to the surgery, food was withheld for 48 hours. The mares were then anesthetized and placed in dorsal recumbency, a position on their back, for the laparoscopic surgery.

Procedure Details

• The first step of the surgery involved placing a hand access device, followed by four laparoscopic portals.
• The ovaries and broad ligaments were cut off using a combination of a laparoscopic stapling instrument, an ultrasonically activated instrument, and endoscopic clips.
• The genital tract was brought out through the laparotomy and the uterus was cut off and sutured in a standard pattern.
• After the surgery, the mares’ progress was monitored until the 14th postoperative day when a necropsy (autopsy for animals) was performed.

Results and Conclusions

• Results showed that four of the mares recuperated well after the surgery. However, one mare had to be euthanized due to bilateral femur fracture during anesthetic recovery and another contracted severe pleuropneumonia.
• Necropsy results showed uncomplicated healing of the cut-off areas of ovaries, broad ligaments, and uterine remnants for all the mares except one that had an abscess and developed visceral adhesions along the celiotomy incision.
• The conclusion drawn from the study was that ovariohysterectomy in horses can be successfully conducted using the HALS technique.
• The HALS-OHE procedure presents a technically feasible alternative to the traditional OHE procedure, with lesser invasiveness. However, careful patient selection and preparation is crucial to reduce the potential complications observed during the study.