In situ coagulation and transection of the ovarian pedicle: an alternative to laparoscopic ovariectomy in juvenile horses.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This study details an alternative method of performing ovariectomy (ovary removal) in young horses. Instead of removing the ovary entirely, researchers tested the viability of leaving the ovary in the abdominal cavity post-operatively.
Research method
- The study was performed on 10 juvenile quarter horses, aged 4 to 5 months, that were put in a Trendelenburg position (a position where the body is tilted, with the feet higher than the head).
- The mesovarium, the portion of the broad ligament of the uterus to which the ovary is attached, was isolated, and the ovarian pedicle (the structure containing the ovarian artery and vein) was coagulated and transected, severing the ovarian attachments.
- Instead of removing the ovaries, they were let drop within the abdomen and the area was evaluated for hemostasis (the stopping of blood flow) before closing the surgical site.
- The mean surgical time was 33 minutes, with a range of 23 to 48 minutes.
Post operative findings
- At 10 weeks post surgery, the horses were euthanized and a post-mortem examination was carried out, during which the location of the ovaries within the abdomen was noted.
- In one horse, the viscera (internal organs) had been punctured during insufflation (inflation of the abdomen with gas for the surgery), leading to an abdominal adhesion.
- Of the 20 ovaries, 4 were found free-floating within the abdominal cavity, while the remaining 16 were enveloped in the free portion of the greater omentum (a fold of the peritoneum), located in the cranioventral (near the head and front) region of the abdomen.
- Upon histologic examination of the ovaries, all of the deep blood vessels and follicular structures in both the free-floating and attached ovaries were discovered to be necrotic (dead) and partially mineralized (hardened).
Summary and conclusion
The authors concluded that laparoscopic electrosurgical transection of the ovarian pedicle, while leaving the ovaries within the abdomen, could be considered as an alternative to other ovariectomy techniques for young female horses.
This technique may reduce the risk of complications associated with removal of the ovary and could provide a quicker operational time. However, further studies may be needed to assess the long-term impact and any potential health risks associated with leaving necrotic and mineralized tissue within the body.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. shoemaker@skyway.usask.ca
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / surgery
- Laparoscopy / methods
- Laparoscopy / veterinary
- Laser Coagulation / methods
- Laser Coagulation / veterinary
- Ovariectomy / methods
- Ovariectomy / veterinary
- Ovary / pathology
- Ovary / surgery
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Ko BH, Park DG, Lee WJ. Postoperative Observation of Spaying with the Silicon Ring on the Ovaries in Heifers: A Retrospective Study in 28 Cases. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 21;9(11).
- Straticò P, Guerri G, Palozzo A, Varasano V, Petrizzi L. Current Use of Equine Laparoscopy in Urogenital Disorders: A Scoping Review of the Literature from 2000 to 2021. Vet Sci 2022 Jan 22;9(2).
- Devick IF, Hendrickson DA. Effects of Leaving Amputated Ovaries Intra-Abdominally during Elective Bilateral Standing Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Equids. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 18;11(1).
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