Analyze Diet

In situ coagulation and transection of the ovarian pedicle: an alternative to laparoscopic ovariectomy in juvenile horses.

Abstract: The feasibility of leaving the ovaries within the peritoneal cavity after laparoscopic coagulation and transection of the ovarian pedicle was assessed in the juvenile horse. Elective ovariectomy was performed on 10 quarter horses, aged 4 to 5 mo, with the fillies in a Trendelenburg position. The mesovarium was isolated, and multiple coagulation and transection cycles were performed until all ovarian attachments had been severed. The ovaries were dropped within the abdomen, and hemostasis of the transected mesovarium was evaluated before closure. The mean surgical time was 33 min (range, 23 to 48 min). Ten weeks after surgery the fillies were humanely euthanized. At postmortem examination, the ovary location within the abdomen was noted. In 1 horse, there was an abdominal adhesion; viscera had been punctured during insufflation. Of the 20 ovaries, 4 were free-floating within the abdominal cavity; the other 16 were enveloped in the free portion of the greater omentum in the cranioventral abdomen. Histologic examination of the ovaries was performed to assess follicle cell viability. In both the free-floating and the attached ovaries, the deep blood vessels and all examined follicular structures were necrotic and partially mineralized. Laparoscopic electrosurgical transection of the ovarian pedicle without removal of the ovaries should be considered an alternative to other ovariectomy techniques that may be performed in young female horses.
Publication Date: 2004-02-26 PubMed ID: 14979432PubMed Central: PMC1142126
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

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

APA
Shoemaker RW, Read EK, Duke T, Wilson DG. (2004). In situ coagulation and transection of the ovarian pedicle: an alternative to laparoscopic ovariectomy in juvenile horses. Can J Vet Res, 68(1), 27-32.

Publication

ISSN: 0830-9000
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 68
Issue: 1
Pages: 27-32

Researcher Affiliations

Shoemaker, Ryan W
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. shoemaker@skyway.usask.ca
Read, Emma K
    Duke, Tanya
      Wilson, David G

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Female
        • Horses / surgery
        • Laparoscopy / methods
        • Laparoscopy / veterinary
        • Laser Coagulation / methods
        • Laser Coagulation / veterinary
        • Ovariectomy / methods
        • Ovariectomy / veterinary
        • Ovary / pathology
        • Ovary / surgery

        References

        This article includes 31 references
        1. Hooper RN, Taylor TS, Varner DD, Blanchard TL. Effects of bilateral ovariectomy via colpotomy in mares: 23 cases (1984-1990).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1993 Oct 1;203(7):1043-6.
          pubmed: 8226251
        2. Trotter GW, Embertson RM. Surgical diseases of the cranial reproductive tract. In: Auer JA, ed. Equine surgery, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1992:750–761.
        3. Jorgensen JS, Vivrette S, Correa M, Mansmann RA. Significance of the estrus cycle on athletic performance in mares. Proceedings of the AAEP 1996;42:98–100.
        4. Plumb DC. Cloprostenol sodium. In: Veterinary drug handbook, 3rd ed. White Bear Lake, Minnesota: PharmaVet Publishing, 1999:151–152.
        5. Scott EA, Kunze DJ. Ovariectomy in the mare: presurgical, surgical, and postsurgical considerations. J Equine Med Surg 1977;1:5–12.
        6. Colbern GT, Reagan WJ. Ovariectomy by colpotomy in mares. Comp Contin Educ Pract Vet 1987;9:1035–1038.
        7. Moll HD, Slone DE, Juzwiak JS, Garrett PD. Diagonal paramedian approach for removal of ovarian tumors in the mare.. Vet Surg 1987 Nov-Dec;16(6):456-8.
        8. Ragle CA, Schneider RK. Ventral abdominal approach for laparoscopic ovariectomy in horses.. Vet Surg 1995 Nov-Dec;24(6):492-7.
        9. Hanson CA, Galuppo LD. Bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing mares: 22 cases.. Vet Surg 1999 Mar-Apr;28(2):106-12.
          pubmed: 10100764doi: 10.1053/jvet.1999.0106google scholar: lookup
        10. Bouré L, Marcoux M, Laverty S. Paralumbar fossa laparoscopic ovariectomy in horses with use of Endoloop ligatures.. Vet Surg 1997 Nov-Dec;26(6):478-83.
        11. Palmer SE. Standing laparoscopic laser technique for ovariectomy in five mares.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1993 Jul 15;203(2):279-83.
          pubmed: 8407491
        12. Rodgerson DH, Belknap JK, Wilson DA. Laparoscopic ovariectomy using sequential electrocoagulation and sharp transection of the equine mesovarium.. Vet Surg 2001 Nov-Dec;30(6):572-9.
          pubmed: 11704954doi: 10.1053/jvet.2001.28435google scholar: lookup
        13. Colbern GT. Ovariectomy. In: McKinnon AO, Voss JL, eds. Equine reproduction. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1993:450–455.
        14. Dechant JE, Hendrickson DA. Standing female equine urogenital endoscopic surgery.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2000 Aug;16(2):301-15, vi.
          pubmed: 14983908doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30106-2google scholar: lookup
        15. Hand R, Rakestraw P, Taylor T. Evaluation of a vessel-sealing device for use in laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares.. Vet Surg 2002 May-Jun;31(3):240-4.
          pubmed: 11994851doi: 10.1053/jvet.2002.33482google scholar: lookup
        16. Dusterdieck KF, Pleasant RS, Lanz OI, Saunders GK, Howard RD. Evaluation of the harmonic scapel for standing laparoscopic ovariectomy in horses. In: Scientific presentation abstracts, 12th Annual ACVS Symposium, 2002, San Diego, California.
        17. Doran R, Allen D, Gordon B. Use of stapling instruments to aid in the removal of ovarian tumours in mares.. Equine Vet J 1988 Jan;20(1):37-40.
        18. Rodgerson DH, Baird AN, Lin HC, Pugh DG. Ventral abdominal approach for laparoscopic ovariectomy in llamas.. Vet Surg 1998 Jul-Aug;27(4):331-6.
        19. Rodgerson DH, Hanson RR. Ligature slippage during standing laparoscopic ovariectomy in a mare.. Can Vet J 2000 May;41(5):395-7.
          pmc: PMC1476268pubmed: 10816833
        20. Habermehl NL. Heifer ovariectomy using the Willis spay instrument: Technique, morbidity and mortality.. Can Vet J 1993 Nov;34(11):664-7.
          pmc: PMC1686692pubmed: 17424320
        21. Ragle CA. The acute abdomen: diagnosis, preoperative management, and surgical approaches. In: Auer JA, ed. Equine surgery, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1999:230.
        22. Johnson CB, Taylor PM, Young SS, Brearley JC. Postoperative analgesia using phenylbutazone, flunixin or carprofen in horses.. Vet Rec 1993 Oct 2;133(14):336-8.
          pubmed: 8236675doi: 10.1136/vr.133.14.336google scholar: lookup
        23. Sisson S. Equine urogenital system. In: Getty R, ed. Sisson and Grossman’s The anatomy of domestic animals, 5th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1975:542–544.
        24. Williams R, White H. The greater omentum: its applicability to cancer surgery and cancer therapy.. Curr Probl Surg 1986 Nov;23(11):789-865.
          pubmed: 3780294doi: 10.1016/0011-3840(86)90007-9google scholar: lookup
        25. Adams W, Ctercteko G, Bilous M. Effect of an omental wrap on the healing and vascularity of compromised intestinal anastomoses.. Dis Colon Rectum 1992 Aug;35(8):731-8.
          pubmed: 1379531doi: 10.1007/bf02050320google scholar: lookup
        26. Hosgood G. The omentum — the forgotten organ: physiology and potential surgical applications in dogs and cats. Comp Contin Educ Prac Vet 1990;12:45–50.
        27. Evans TJ, Constantinescu GM, Ganjam VK. Clinical reproductive anatomy and physiology of the mare. In: Youngquist RS, ed. Current therapy in large animal theriogenology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1997:46–47.
        28. DeNardo GA, Becker K, Brown NO, Dobbins S. Ovarian remnant syndrome: revascularization of free-floating ovarian tissue in the feline abdominal cavity.. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2001 May-Jun;37(3):290-6.
          pubmed: 11361123doi: 10.5326/15473317-37-3-290google scholar: lookup
        29. Bergeron JA, Hendrickson DA, McCue PM. Viability of an inguinal testis after laparoscopic cauterization and transection of its blood supply.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998 Nov 1;213(9):1303-4, 1280.
          pubmed: 9810387
        30. Kainer RA. Reproductive organs of the mare. In: McKinnon AO, Voss JL, eds. Equine reproduction. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1993:11.
        31. Mitchell D, Allen WR. Observations on reproductive performance in the yearling mare.. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 1975 Oct;(23):531-6.
          pubmed: 1060838

        Citations

        This article has been cited 5 times.
        1. 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).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci9110643pubmed: 36423092google scholar: lookup
        2. 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).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci9020041pubmed: 35202295google scholar: lookup
        3. 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).
          doi: 10.3390/ani11010232pubmed: 33477730google scholar: lookup
        4. Hendrickson DA. A review of equine laparoscopy. ISRN Vet Sci 2012;2012:492650.
          doi: 10.5402/2012/492650pubmed: 23762585google scholar: lookup
        5. Peiró JR, Nogueira GM, Nogueira GP, Perri SH, Cardoso D. Ovariectomy by left flank approach in prepubertal Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers. Can J Vet Res 2009 Jul;73(3):237-40.
          pubmed: 19794897