Use of stapling instruments to aid in the removal of ovarian tumours in mares.

The study discusses a surgical method that utilizes stapling instruments for the removal of ovarian tumors in horses, showing effective results in terms of haemostasis and long term survival.

Objective and Method

A clinical trial was conducted wherein ovarian granulosa theca cell tumors were surgically removed from 10 mares.
In this experiment:

• The researchers used stapling instruments to assist in haemostasis (the process of blood clotting and halting bleeding).
• In half of the cases, the stapling instruments were used in conjunction with other haemostatic methods, while in the remaining instances, they were applied as the only means of achieving haemostasis.

Results and Observations

The findings of the study were as follows:

• Postoperative bleeding was suspected from the ovarian pedicle (the narrow stem or stalk connecting the ovary to the body) in only one case out of the ten. This suggests a highly successful rate of haemostasis (90%).
• All the horses survived for a considerable period after the surgery, ranging from six months to four years, indicating the relatively safe nature of the procedure.

Conclusion

As per results of this study:

• Stapling instruments were proven to be an efficient method for ligating ovarian pedicles during ovariectomies in mares. They were shown to provide an effective, quick, and simple way to control bleeding during the surgical procedure.
• This research contributes to the field of veterinary medicine, particularly equine surgery, by showcasing the potential use of stapling tools in achieving successful and sustainable outcomes in tumor removal procedures. This may inspire further exploration and experimentation on the use of various surgical instruments.