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Veterinary surgery : VS2019; 48(7); 1299-1308; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13280

Single-stage reconstruction of third-degree perineal lacerations in horses under general anesthesia: Utrecht repair method.

Abstract: To describe perioperative management, surgical procedure, and outcome in mares with third-degree perineal lacerations (TDPL) treated with a single-stage repair, the Utrecht repair method (URM). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Twenty mares with TDPL. Methods: Medical records of mares with TDPL reconstructed with a URM were reviewed for perioperative management; surgical outcome; and postoperative fertility, athletic performance, and complications. Results: Mares ranged in age from 3.5 to 11 years. Long-term follow-up was available for 13 mares. Mean duration of follow-up was 9 years (median, 9.5; range, 2-215 months (17.9 years)). Standardized perioperative fasting and postoperative refeeding protocols were used. Only five mares received supportive gastric medication. Reconstruction of the rectovestibular shelf was successful in 18 of 20 mares. Two of 20 mares developed a small rectovestibular fistula after the initial repair, which was successfully repaired with a second surgery. Other postoperative complications were observed in 13 mares and consisted of mild postanesthetic myositis, facial nerve paralysis, esophageal obstruction, rectal obstipation, partial perineal dehiscence, and rectal or vestibular wind-sucking. Six of seven mares that were subsequently bred became pregnant. One mare was successfully used for embryo recovery, and five of six mares foaled without recurrence of a TDPL. Nine of 13 mares were used for riding at various levels. Conclusions: The alternative single-stage reconstruction for TDPL was successful in 18 of 20 mares after a single surgery. No major complications related directly to the technique were noted. Conclusions: The URM is a valid alternative surgical technique for repairing TDPL in mares.
© 2019 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-07 PubMed ID: 31282055DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13280Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research discusses a medical procedure called the Utrecht repair method (URM) used to surgically repair third-degree perineal lacerations (TDPL) in horses. The study focuses on the outcomes, postoperative fertility, athletic performance, and any complications experienced by the horses after the operation.

Methods

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective study where they examined the medical records of twenty mares (female horses) that had undergone URM to repair TDPL.
  • The records were analyzed for details on perioperative management, surgical outcomes, as well as postoperative fertility and athletic performance.
  • The study also focused on any complications that might have arisen postoperatively.

Results

  • The horses studied ranged in age from 3.5 to 11 years.
  • Long-term follow-ups were available for 13 of the mares, with an average duration of 9 years. Standardized protocols for fasting and refeeding the horses were used before and after the operation.
  • The reconstruction of the rectovestibular shelf, a crucial part of the surgery, was successful in 18 out of 20 mares.
  • Postoperative complications were observed in 13 mares, including issues such as facial nerve paralysis, esophageal obstruction, rectal obstipation, mild postanesthetic myositis, partial dehiscence of the perineum, and wind-sucking of the rectum or vestibule.
  • Of the seven mares that were then bred, six became pregnant. One of these was successfully used for embryo recovery. Of the mares that became pregnant, five gave birth without recurrence of a TDPL.
  • A total of 13 mares were used for riding at various levels post-operation.

Conclusions

  • The URM procedure proved successful in 18 out of 20 cases, indicating it as a valid surgery method for repairing TDPL in mares.
  • No major complications that could be attributed directly to the URM technique were noted.
  • The study concludes that URM is a valid alternative surgical technique for the repair of TDPL in mares.

Cite This Article

APA
Frietman SK, Compagnie E, Stout TAE, Jonker FH, Ter Braake F. (2019). Single-stage reconstruction of third-degree perineal lacerations in horses under general anesthesia: Utrecht repair method. Vet Surg, 48(7), 1299-1308. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13280

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 7
Pages: 1299-1308

Researcher Affiliations

Frietman, Sjoerd K
  • Equine Department, Equine Veterinary Clinic Emmeloord, Emmeloord, The Netherlands.
Compagnie, Ellen
  • Equine Department, Equine Veterinary Clinic Emmeloord, Emmeloord, The Netherlands.
Stout, Tom A E
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Jonker, F Herman
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Ter Braake, Frerik
  • Equine Department, Equine Veterinary Clinic Emmeloord, Emmeloord, The Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Anesthesia, General
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses / injuries
  • Lacerations / surgery
  • Lacerations / veterinary
  • Perineum / injuries
  • Perineum / surgery
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Rectum
  • Retrospective Studies

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Sharshar A, Hammad A, Salem M, El-Sunsafty M. Evaluation of a modified one-stage technique for repair of third-degree perineal laceration and rectovestibular fistula with rectal pull-back technique in 12 mares: a retrospective case series. BMC Vet Res 2025 Sep 17;21(1):538.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04824-7pubmed: 40963117google scholar: lookup
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