Laparoscopic closure of the renosplenic space in standing horses.
Authors: Mariën T, Adriaenssen A, Hoeck F V, Segers L
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Laparoscopic Closure of the Renosplenic Space in Standing Horses Incarceration of abdominal organs in the renosplenic space represents a significant colic emergency in horses, yet surgical prevention has been limited by the invasiveness of traditional approaches. Marién and colleagues developed a standing laparoscopic technique to obliterate this anatomical potential space by apposing the dorsal splenic capsule to the renosplenic ligament using polyglactin 910 suture in a continuous pattern, testing the method in five healthy horses aged 3–13 years under standing sedation (detomidine and butorphanol) with portals established in the left paralumbar fossa. The procedure averaged 35 minutes (range 20–65 minutes) with no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and repeat laparoscopy at three weeks demonstrated successful tissue fusion with smooth, fibrous-like healing between the apposed structures. For practitioners managing horses with recurrent renosplenic incarceration or those at high risk, this standing technique offers a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery that maintains the horse's postoperative comfort and recovery profile whilst effectively preventing future entrapment. The standing approach is particularly valuable given that it avoids general anaesthesia—reducing associated risks—whilst achieving durable anatomical closure verified by second-look laparoscopy.
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Practical Takeaways
- •This standing laparoscopic technique offers a minimally invasive surgical option for preventing recurrent renosplenic space incarceration in horses
- •The procedure can be completed safely in standing sedated horses without general anesthesia complications, reducing anesthetic risk
- •Successful tissue apposition occurs within 3 weeks, suggesting this technique has merit for prophylactic use in horses with recurrent colic from this cause
Key Findings
- •Laparoscopic closure of the renosplenic space was successfully completed in all 5 horses with mean operative time of 35 minutes (range 20-65 minutes)
- •No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in any of the 5 standing horses
- •At 3-week follow-up laparoscopy, all horses demonstrated smooth fibrous tissue formation between the dorsal splenic capsule and renosplenic ligament