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Nephrectomy via ventral median celiotomy in equids.
Abstract: To report technique for, and outcome after, nephrectomy through a ventral median celiotomy in equids. Methods: Case series. Methods: Equids with unilateral renal disease (n = 6), aged 2 months to 18 years, weighing 90-434 kg. Methods: A ventral median celiotomy was used to access the left or right kidney. To facilitate surgical exposure, the small intestine was reflected towards the diaphragm using laparotomy sponges and the ascending colon was exteriorized and in some cases evacuated. The peritoneum over the affected kidney was incised and blunt dissection used to free the kidney from the retroperitoneal fat, then the renal artery, vein, and ureter were isolated and ligated. Abdominal lavage with sterile saline solution was performed before abdominal closure. Results: Four horses, 1 donkey, and 1 mule had unilateral nephrectomy to treat verminous nephritis (1), idiopathic hematuria (1), and ectopic ureter (4). A ventral median approach provided adequate access to the kidney in all 6 cases. Two horses had postoperative complications (peritonitis, chylous abdominal effusion) that resolved with medical therapy. No complications attributable to nephrectomy were reported by the owners upon follow-up 1-8 years after surgery. Conclusions: A ventral median approach for nephrectomy can be used for unilateral nephrectomy in equids weighing up to 434 kg.
© Copyright 2013 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2013-02-22 PubMed ID: 23432332DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2013.01095.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup 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
Summary
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This study examined a surgical technique called nephrectomy through a ventral median celiotomy, and its outcomes in horses, donkeys and mules. The objective of the research was to treat various kidney-related conditions in equids. The results revealed that the ventral median approach was largely effective with minimal postoperative complications.
Methods
- Six equids with a single kidney disease were selected. These ranged from 2 months to 18 years of age, and weighed between 90-434 kg.
- Ventral median celiotomy, a surgical procedure that involves making an incision along the midline of the abdomen, was used to access their left or right kidney.
- For a better surgical view, the small intestine was moved towards the diaphragm using surgical sponges, while the ascending colon was moved outside and in some cases emptied.
- After creating an incision in the peritoneum over the affected kidney, surgical dissection was used to remove the kidney from the surrounding fat. The renal artery, vein, and ureter were then identified and tied off.
- The surgery was concluded with an abdominal wash with sterile saline solution, and then the abdomen was closed up.
Results
- A repeated procedure of unilateral nephrectomy was conducted on four horses, one donkey and one mule to treat conditions like verminous nephritis, idiopathic hematuria, and ectopic ureter.
- The ventral median approach used in nephrectomy provided sufficient access to the kidney in all six cases.
- Postoperative complications like peritonitis and abdominal accumulation of lymph (chylous abdominal effusion) were noted in two horses. These complications were managed successfully using medical therapy.
- Upon follow-up after 1-8 years post-surgery, no complications relating to the nephrectomy were reported by the animal owners.
Conclusion
- The research concludes that a ventral median approach can be effectively used for nephrectomy in equids weighing up to 434 kg.
- Though there were postoperative complications in a few cases, they were manageable and did not present any long-term negative outcomes. Thus, this research assures the safety and effectiveness of this approach to kidney removal in equids.
Cite This Article
APA
Arnold CE, Taylor T, Chaffin MK, Schott HC, Caron JP.
(2013).
Nephrectomy via ventral median celiotomy in equids.
Vet Surg, 42(3), 275-279.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2013.01095.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. carnold@cvm.tamu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses / surgery
- Kidney / surgery
- Kidney Diseases / surgery
- Kidney Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Nephrectomy / methods
- Nephrectomy / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Saitua A, Sanchez de Medina A, Bulnes F, Buzon A, Miraz R, Argüelles D, Diez de Castro E. Urogenital surgery in foals. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1520491.
- Zakia L, Shaw S, Bonomelli N, O'Sullivan S, Zur Linden A, Dubois M, Baird J, Guest B. Hematuria in a 3-month-old filly with an internal umbilical abscess and internal iliac artery aneurysm. Can Vet J 2021 Aug;62(8):877-881.
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