Two-step surgery combining standing laparoscopy with recumbent ventral median celiotomy for removal of enlarged pathologic ovaries in 20 mares.

The research article reports on a two-step surgical procedure used to remove enlarged ovaries in horses. The first stage of the surgery involves standing laparoscopy for dissection of the mesovarial pedicle, while the second stage employs ventral median celiotomy under general anesthesia for the extraction of the enlarged ovaries.

About the Research

• The research aims to present a combination of two surgical techniques used to remove enlarged ovaries in mares. These methods involve standing laparoscopy and ventral median celiotomy.
• The procedure was applied to 20 mares aged between 3 to 22 years who had a unilateral enlargement of ovaries.

Procedure

• The mares’ enlarged ovaries were definitively confirmed through transrectal palpation and ultrasonography before proceeding with the operation.
• The initial segment of the surgery, standing laparoscopy, included sedating the mare and creating three laparoscopic portals in its paralumbar fossa.
• The mesovarium was then desensitized and dissected using a special device that seals blood vessels, leaving the ovary free within the abdomen.
• The second part of the surgery included putting the mare under general anesthesia. It was then positioned dorsal recumbent before an 8 cm incision was made in its ventral median. This was for the retrieval of the ovary placed in a special bag.

Results of Research

• Applying this two-step procedure successfully removed enlarged ovaries ranging from 12 to 50 cm from 17 mares.
• Additionally, this approach proved effective in managing behavioral issues in three mares.
• There were no operative or post-operative complications recorded in this research.
• Owners were reportedly satisfied with the surgery outcome, and the results were excellent cosmetically.

Conclusions

• The researchers concluded that the combined techniques of standing laparoscopy and ventral median celiotomy represent a safe method for performing ovariectomy in mares.
• This combined approach appears to alleviate the drawbacks typically associated with standing flank ovariectomy and traditional open ventral median techniques.