OVARIECTOMY OF GRANULOSA-CELL TUMORS IN MARES BY USE OF THE DIAGONAL PARAMEDIAN APPROACH - 12 CASES (1989-1995)

Objective-To describe the short- and long-term survival rates in horse s undergoing ovariectomy for granulosa cell tumors by use of the diago nal paramedian approach. Design-Retrospective case study. Animals-12 h orses with granulosa cell tumors. Procedure-A diagonal paramedian appr oach for unilateral ovariectomy was used for removal of each mare's gr anulosa cell tumor. Information about complications and outcomes was a nalyzed. Results-Only minimal complications were detected postoperativ ely when the diagonal paramedian approach was used, regardless of the preferred technique for ovarian pedicle ligation or incisional closure and the use of pre- and postoperative medications. Clinical signs of moderate or severe postoperative abdominal pain were not evident in an y of the 12 horses. Short- and longterm survival rates were 100%. Clin ical Implications-The diagonal paramedian approach was advantageous fo r ovarian tumor removal, because the ovary was immediately adjacent to the body wall at a portion of the incision site. Size of the ovary wa s not a limitation, because muscle tissues al the edges of the incisio n were flexible and easily retractable. All of these factors improved exposure, decreased traction on the ovary, increased our ability to ob serve the vasculature, and decreased postoperative morbidity, aiding i n the removal of granulosa cell tumors in mares.