Unilateral and bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy of mares by electrocautery.
Authors: Smith L J, Mair T S
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Standing Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Mares Smith and Mair demonstrated that electrocautery alone is a reliable haemostasis technique for standing laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares, successfully managing both normal ovaries and pathological tissue across 12 cases (eight unilateral procedures for granulosa thecal cell tumours and four bilateral ovariectomies for oestrous-related behavioural problems). Electrocoagulation proved effective in 11 of 12 cases, with only one granulosa thecal cell tumour removal requiring endoscopic clip application due to mild haemorrhage, whilst minor wound complications occurred in six horses but resolved without intervention. Notably, all eight mares with granulosa thecal cell tumours showed complete resolution of abnormal behaviour post-operatively, compared with only three of four mares in the behavioural cohort, suggesting that cyclical ovarian pathology rather than ovarian hormonal secretion alone may drive oestrous-linked aggression. For equine practitioners and veterinarians considering ovariectomy, this work supports electrocautery as a viable single-method haemostasis approach in standing laparoscopic surgery, potentially reducing operative time and cost whilst maintaining safety margins comparable to traditional techniques.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Standing laparoscopic ovariectomy with electrocoagulation is a viable technique for treating both hormonally-mediated behavioural problems and ovarian tumours in mares, with high success rates and minimal post-operative complications
- •Electrocoagulation alone provides sufficient haemostasis in the majority of cases; endoscopic clips should be kept available as backup for cases with persistent bleeding
- •Behavioural improvement is virtually certain when ovariectomy is performed for GCTs but less predictable when performed for oestrous cycle-related aggression
Key Findings
- •Electrocoagulation provided effective haemostasis in both normal and pathological ovaries during standing laparoscopic ovariectomy
- •Only 1 of 12 cases (8.3%) required endoscopic clips for haemostasis following mild haemorrhage after GCT removal
- •100% of mares with GCTs showed complete resolution of abnormal behaviour post-operatively, compared to 75% of mares with normal ovaries
- •Minor wound complications occurred in 50% of cases (6/12) but required no additional treatment