Modified technique for single stage rectovestibular fistula closure in three mares.

The article discusses a modified surgical technique used for single-stage closure of rectovestibular fistula in three mares, a condition often leading to mare infertility due to chronic fecal contamination in the vaginal area caused by the communication between rectum and vagina.

Introduction

• The research begins with a definition of rectovestibular fistula and its effects, notably infertility linked with a set of complications like vaginitis, cervicitis, and endometritis.
• It identifies common causes of the fistula which include foaling injury especially in primiparous mares (mares that have foaled once), failed repair of a third-degree perineal laceration, breeding accidents, or acts of sadism.

Background

• The article outlines the challenge of immediate repair due to contamination and the typical state of damaged tissues. Hence, a delayed surgery around 4-8 weeks after the injury is the usual approach.
• The background information also discusses various surgical repair techniques that have been described in the literature, ranging from individual closure of rectal and vaginal defects after horizontal dissection between anus and vulva, to direct transvaginal and transrectal repair in the mare standing position.

Objective and Method

• This research aims to describe a new repair technique conducted on a standing and sedated mare. This method involves a horizontal dissection between the anus and vulva, combined with a vertical incision solely through the vaginal shelf.
• The surgical procedure then proceeds with the closure of both the original and created defects in a single stage, which deviates from previously used multi-stage closure techniques.