Standing urogenital surgery.

The research article discusses the advantages and drawbacks of performing urogenital surgeries in horses while they are standing, as opposed to applying general anesthesia. It reviews common procedures like Caslick’s, episioplasty, urethroplasty, and cervical repairs that are typically done in a standing horse, and more complex operations like bladder calculi removal or ovary removal where general anesthesia might be more beneficial.

Subject Matter and Objective

The article’s subject matter is standing urogenital surgery in horses. This focus is to assess:

• What specific procedures are typically done while the horse is standing.
• Consider the risks and benefits of performing these procedures under general anesthesia.

The aim is to inform veterinary surgeons of the best approaches based on the type of procedure, the temperament of the horse, and other case-specific circumstances.

Typical Standing Procedures

The article mentions several procedures that are routinely and uneventfully conducted while the horse is standing, including:

• Caslick’s procedure (a cervix operation).
• Episioplasty (reshaping of the vulva).
• Urethroplasty (urethra repair).
• Cervical repairs.
• Rectovestibular laceration repair.
• Normal castration.

Anesthesia Considerations

While the complexity of these procedures varies, they can all be completed in a standing horse of normal temperament without the need for general anesthesia. The duration of these procedures and the ease with which they are accomplished contribute to the lack of necessity for anesthesia.

Invasive Operations

There are more invasive operations where conducting them in a standing horse presents certain challenges and risks. Such surgeries include removal of bladder calculi in male horses and ovary removal in mares. In these cases, the article advises serious consideration of general anesthesia, as potential complications can increase while the ability to manage those complications are reduced.

The article uses a few examples to illustrate these challenges:

• A horse laying down mid-procedure, such as during an ovary removal.
• The possibility of a horse defecating during a particular approach to the bladder.

In such cases, general anesthesia should be considered unless there are exceptional circumstances justifying the risks of the horse being standing.