Foaling rates after surgical repair of ventral cervical lacerations using a Trendelenburg position in 18 anesthetized mares.
Authors: Leary John Mark O', Rodgerson Dwayne, Spirito Michael, Gomez Jorge
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Cervical Laceration Repair in Mares: Surgical Technique and Reproductive Outcomes Traumatic lacerations of the ventral cervix in mares—often sustained during foaling complications—can severely compromise future fertility, yet few published techniques address their surgical management. O'Leary and colleagues evaluated a two-layer repair protocol performed under general anaesthesia with the mare positioned in Trendelenburg (head-down tilt), using stay-sutures to retract the cervix caudally, debridement of damaged margins, and closure of the internal mucosa with continuous Lembert sutures followed by simple-continuous external suturing. Among 18 mares with single or double ventral cervical lacerations, mean surgical time was 22 minutes for single repairs and 29 minutes for bilateral cases, with 9 mares subsequently conceiving and 7 producing at least one healthy live foal post-operatively. The Trendelenburg position proved technically advantageous for visibility and instrument access to these ventrally located structures, offering surgeons a reproducible approach for what is otherwise a challenging injury affecting breeding soundness. Whilst this case series demonstrates encouraging conception and foaling rates, farriers and stud managers should prioritise prevention through careful management of dystocia cases, whilst veterinary surgeons managing post-foaling cervical trauma now have evidence-based technique to offer improved reproductive prognosis to their clients.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Surgical repair of cervical lacerations is technically feasible and can restore fertility in some mares, with conception achieved in 50% of cases and live foals in 39%
- •Trendelenburg positioning provides excellent visualization and access for efficient repair without excessive surgical time
- •This technique should be considered for mares with ventral cervical trauma presenting with subsequent breeding difficulties, though outcomes suggest case selection or prognosis discussion with owners is important
Key Findings
- •Surgical repair of ventral cervical lacerations in Trendelenburg position took mean 22 minutes for single and 29 minutes for double lacerations
- •9 of 18 mares (50%) conceived following surgical repair
- •7 of 18 mares (39%) produced at least one live healthy foal after repair
- •Two-layer repair technique using Lembert pattern for internal mucosa and simple-continuous for external mucosa was successfully applied