Management of postfixation twins in mares.

The paper focuses on various methods to manage after-fixation twins in mares, with a novel technique, craniocervical dislocation, showing more promising results for the survival of the remaining foal as it allows it to make full use of the endometrial surface.

Research Paper Overview

• The study examines different methods used in the management of postfixation twins in mares. Twin pregnancies in mares (female horses) are risky and often result in severe health complications or even death. The research aims to explore alternatives to ensure one healthy foal survives.
• Methods discussed in the study include natural reduction, dietary reduction, transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration, surgical removal, craniocervical dislocation, and transabdominal ultrasound-guided injection.

Inconsistent Methods

• Most of these methods have shown inconsistent results in terms of producing a single healthy foal. While each technique might have benefits, none have proven to be fully effective.
• Methods like natural and dietary reduction rely on nature and diet alterations, which may not always work. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration, surgical removal, and transabdominal ultrasound-guided injection are invasive procedures that risk harming the other healthy fetus.

Successful Technique: Craniocervical Dislocation

• The technique of craniocervical dislocation has shown more effective and consistent results compared to the other methods. This method involves manually manipulating the neck of one of the foals, leading to its demise.
• The technique allows the procedure to be done before the complete formation of the placenta. Once one twin is reduced, the remaining fetus can utilize the entire endometrial surface, which allows it to grow to its full potential, leading to a higher chance of survival and a healthy birth.
• This research, therefore, proposes craniocervical dislocation as a more successful method in managing postfixation twins in mares, ultimately leading to better pregnancy outcomes in such cases.