Standing laparoscopy combined with a conventional inguinal approach to treat extended septic funiculitis in 12 horses.

The research describes a two-step surgical procedure to treat deep intra-abdominal funiculitis in horses combining a standing laparoscopy and conventional inguinal approach. The study’s findings indicate that the surgical method safely performs complete resection of the infected spermatic cord, minimizes postoperative complications, and reduces the risk of infection recurrence.

Explanation of Research

The paper is an analysis of a surgical method combining laparoscopy while the horse is standing with a traditional inguinal approach, designed to address deep intra-abdominal funiculitis (also known as extended septic funiculitis) that may occur after a horse is castrated. Considered a retrospective case series method, the authors review medical records of client-owned horses previously treated using this approach.

• The medical histories of twelve horses that had been subjected to the two-step surgery were examined in detail
• Collected information included the initial castration technique, the number of surgical attempts made to control the septic funiculitis before the horses were presented, clinical symptoms, data related to the diagnostic and surgical process, and both short- and long-term survival outcomes

Results of Research

The study yielded a range of noteworthy results:

• The complete resection, or removal, of the infected part of the spermatic cord was achieved for all horses without any intraoperative complications
• In six out of twelve horses, intra-abdominal adhesions were documented. Four cases involved the ascending colon and two involved the descending colon
• Postoperative observations noted minor swelling at the incision in two out of twelve horses, and the presence of emphysema at the laparoscopic portal in three out of twelve horses
• All horses survived to be discharged after the surgery and after three months, all surgical wounds had completely healed without any complications
• No recurrence of symptomatic signs was recorded at long-term follow-ups, which ranged from four to thirty-six months after the horses were discharged

Conclusions

The authors conclude that using this laparoscopic-assisted surgical technique can be very effective in cases of extended septic funiculitis. It allows a safe and complete resection of the infected spermatic cord, simultaneously reducing postoperative complications and the possibility of the infection recurring. This approach presents a potentially significant advancement in the treatment and management of this condition in horses.