Surgical management of perineal lacerations and rectovestibular fistulae in the mare: a retrospective study of 47 cases.
Abstract: The case records of 47 mares with third-degree perineal lacerations or rectovestibular fistulae were examined to evaluate their fertility following surgical repair. Of 32 mares bred, 24 became pregnant, suggesting that surgical repair is indicated in any mare with sufficient genetic potential. Perineal trauma after surgical repair was recorded in 3 of 20 mares at subsequent parturition.
Publication Date: 1985-02-01 PubMed ID: 3882647
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article reviews a study of 47 mares to examine their fertility after surgical repair for third-degree perineal lacerations or rectovestibular fistulae. The study found that the majority of mares bred after the surgery were able to become pregnant, implying that surgical repair is a valid recommendation for mares with enough genetic potential.
Overview of the Study
- The researchers conducted a retrospective study in which they reviewed the medical records of 47 mares that had undergone surgical repair for third-degree perineal lacerations or rectovestibular fistulae.
- These conditions are severe injuries that can occur in mares during parturition or birth, with the potential to significantly affect the reproductive health of the mare.
- One of the main objectives of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical repair in restoring the fertility of the mares.
Fertility Following Surgical Repair
- Out of the 47 mares, 32 were bred after the surgical repair.
- The results showed that 24 out of these 32 mares were able to become pregnant, suggesting that surgical repair was successful in restoring their fertility.
- This is a significant finding as it demonstrates the potential of surgical repair to effectively address reproductive health issues in mares with these types of injuries.
Risk of Perineal Trauma after Surgical Repair
- The study also reported on the risk of perineal trauma after surgical repair, which is an important consideration in assessing the overall utility and safety of the surgical interventions.
- Out of the 20 mares that had subsequent parturition, only 3 experienced perineal trauma again.
- This suggests that the risk of re-injury is relatively low following surgical repair, further supporting the adoption of surgical intervention for third-degree perineal lacerations or rectovestibular fistulae in mares.
Implications and Recommendations
- Based on the findings, the study suggests that surgical repair is indicated in any mare with sufficient genetic potential suffering from third-degree perineal lacerations or rectovestibular fistulae.
- The relatively high fertility rate and low re-injury rate after surgery indicate that surgical repair is a promising approach for managing these injuries and preserving or restoring the fertility of the affected mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Colbern GT, Aanes WA, Stashak TS.
(1985).
Surgical management of perineal lacerations and rectovestibular fistulae in the mare: a retrospective study of 47 cases.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 186(3), 265-269.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Fertility
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Perineum / injuries
- Perineum / surgery
- Pregnancy
- Prognosis
- Rectovaginal Fistula / surgery
- Rectovaginal Fistula / veterinary
- Rectum / surgery
- Retrospective Studies
- Suture Techniques / veterinary
- Sutures / veterinary
- Vagina / surgery
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- 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.
- Sato R, Kamimura N, Kaneko K. Surgical repair of third-degree perineal lacerations with rectovestibular fistulae in dairy cattle: a series of four cases (2010-2018). J Vet Med Sci 2019 May 11;81(5):703-706.
- Elkasapy AH, Ibrahim IM. Contribution to reconstruction of third degree rectovestibular lacerations in mares. Open Vet J 2015;5(1):23-6.
- Anwar S, Purohit GN. Occurrence and surgical repair of third degree perineal lacerations in adult female camels (Camelus dromedarius) by one-stage (Goetz) technique. Open Vet J 2013;3(2):75-9.
- Desjardins MR, Trout DR, Little CB. Surgical repair of rectovaginal fistulae in mares: Twelve cases (1983-1991). Can Vet J 1993 Apr;34(4):226-31.
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