Laparoscopic mesh incisional hernioplasty in five horses.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Laparoscopic Mesh Incisional Hernioplasty in Horses Ventral median incisional hernias—a common complication following abdominal surgery in horses—traditionally require open surgical repair with significant tissue trauma and lengthy recovery periods. Caron and Mehler evaluated whether laparoscopic techniques could offer a less invasive alternative by placing prosthetic mesh intraperitoneally in five horses with documented incisional hernias. Using bilateral instrument portals positioned away from hernia margins, surgeons established laparoscopic visualisation, debrided retroperitoneal fat to expose the internal rectus sheath, then secured mesh using transfascial sutures with or without supplemental fixation devices. All five horses tolerated the procedure without major complications, maintained intact repairs over 6–23 months of follow-up, and showed no evidence of adhesion formation—a significant advantage over traditional approaches. For equine practitioners managing post-surgical hernia cases, this technique offers a promising minimally invasive option that reduces surgical trauma, improves cosmetic outcomes, and may shorten convalescence, though the small case series suggests further investigation with larger patient numbers would strengthen clinical confidence in the approach.

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Key Findings

• •Laparoscopic mesh hernioplasty was successfully performed in all 5 horses without major intra- or postoperative complications
• •All mesh repairs remained intact at follow-up (6-23 months) with no evidence of adhesion formation
• •Cosmetic outcomes compared favorably with conventional open hernioplasty techniques

Conditions Studied