Laparoscopic repair of a small intestinal mesenteric rent in a broodmare.

This research describes the successful use of laparoscopic procedure in repairing a small intestinal mesenteric rent in a thoroughbred broodmare, which was not reachable via ventral median celiotomy.

Study Context and Methodology

• The report focuses on a case study involving a 6-year-old Thoroughbred broodmare who had displaced her right dorsal colon with small intestinal incarceration in a mesoduodenal rent, a tear in the folds of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
• The horse underwent correctional surgery for the displaced colon and partial closure of the mesoduodenal rent. Two days later, the horse underwent a standing laparoscopy – a minimally invasive surgical procedure using visual aids to guide the surgery – from left and right flanks to identify the remaining part of the mesoduodenal rent.
• Upon identifying the mesenteric defect, it was repaired using hemostatic clips applied via the right flank portals. Hemostatic clips are medical devices used to control bleeding, and in this case, they were used to close the mesenteric rent.

Results

• The laparoscopic surgery was successful, with the mesoduodenal rent being fully closed using the clips. Through the minimally invasive procedure, the horse was able to stand during the surgery.
• There were no further complications experienced, and no signs of abdominal pain observed over the ensuing year, demonstrating the effectiveness of the procedure.

Conclusions

• The report concludes that mesenteric rents in the mesoduodenum can be effectively repaired using laparoscopic techniques, even when the horse is standing. This offers an alternative solution for cases where the rent is not reachable through a standard ventral median celiotomy – a traditional surgical procedure that involves cutting through the midline of the abdomen.
• The success of this procedure implies that when dealing with similar conditions, the use of laparoscopic techniques should be considered in horses as it offers a minimally invasive alternative with potentially less postoperative complications.