Complications associated with equine transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration: Practitioner survey and field results.
Authors: Hinrichs Katrin, Schnobrich Maria, Fernandes Claudia Barbosa, Fleury Perla, Barillari Victoria, Bruggeworth Scott
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (TVA) has become routine in equine reproductive practice, yet little published evidence quantifies its safety profile or complication rates in the field. Researchers combined survey data from 23 veterinary practitioners with retrospective analysis of over 14,000 procedures performed across a seven-year period to establish baseline incidence rates for both minor and major complications, as well as fatalities. Major complications (defined as severe illness or conditions requiring >7 days to resolve) occurred in approximately 1 in 1,000 cases according to survey responses, though the high-volume clinical dataset suggested a slightly higher rate of 1 in 375 procedures; fatalities were estimated at 1 in 3,000 cases (survey) and 1 in 2,000 cases (clinical data). Whilst these complication rates remain reassuringly low, the discrepancy between settings highlights the importance of standardised technique and suggests that specific procedural refinements—identified through practitioner feedback—could further improve safety margins. For equine veterinarians performing TVA, these findings provide evidence-based reassurance whilst simultaneously signposting areas where attention to detail may minimise patient risk.
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Practical Takeaways
- •TVA is a relatively safe reproductive procedure with major complications occurring in less than 0.3% of cases, supporting continued clinical use while maintaining vigilance
- •Practitioners should recognize that fatality risk, while rare (0.05–0.1%), exists and should be discussed with clients and mitigated through proper technique and equipment
- •Survey feedback identified specific areas for improvement; practitioners should stay updated on best practices to further minimize complication rates
Key Findings
- •Major complications occurred in approximately 1 in 1000 cases in survey data and 1 in 375 cases in clinical practice data
- •Fatalities were reported at approximately 1 in 3000 cases in survey data and 1 in 2000 cases in clinical practice data
- •Over 14,000 TVA procedures were analyzed across 6 veterinarians over 7 years, demonstrating low overall incidence of severe complications despite widespread clinical use