PARALUMBAR FOSSA LAPAROSCOPIC OVARIECTOMY IN HORSES WITH USE OF ENDOLOOP LIGATURES

Objective-The purposes of this study were to develop a technique of pa ralumbar fossa laparoscopic ovariectomy using Endoloop ligatures and t o avoid a laparotomy incision for ovary removal by using a 33-mm diame ter muscle spreader trocar-cannula unit. Animals or Sample Population- Seven mares. Methods-Bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy was performed under general anesthesia in two horses and under neuroleptanalgesia an d local anesthesia in five standing mares. Ovaries were approached fro m the ipsilateral paralumbar fossa through two portal sites located in the paralumbar fossa and a third between the 17th and 18th ribs. Insu fflation of the abdominal cavity was achieved using an automatic carbo n dioxide insufflator. Two Endoloop ligatures were placed on the mesov arium. The cannula, located in the center of the paralumbar fossa, was removed, and a 33-mm diameter trocar-cannula unit, with a cone-shaped muscle spreader extremity, was inserted through the same portal. The mesovarium was transected between the ovary and the ligatures. The ova ries were removed from the abdomen through the 33-mm diameter cannula. The abdominal wall was closed in a routine manner. Results-No major c omplications occurred during or after surgery. Conclusion-Paralumbar f ossa laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares using Endoloop ligatures and th e 33-mm diameter trocar-cannula unit was an effective technique for ov ariectomy of normal ovaries in this study. Clinical Relevance-Endoloop ligatures provide a viable alternative for laparoscopic ligation of o varian pedicles in mares. (C) Copyright 1997 by The American College o f Veterinary Surgeons.