Electrosurgery as the sole means of haemostasis during the laparoscopic removal of pathologically enlarged ovaries in mares: a report of 55 cases.
Authors: Lloyd D, Walmsley J P, Greet T R C, Payne R J, Newton J R, Phillips T J
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Pathologically enlarged ovaries in mares present a surgical challenge, and whilst standing laparoscopic ovariectomy is well established for normal-sized ovaries, clinical evidence for its application to diseased, enlarged organs has been limited. Lloyd and colleagues reviewed 55 cases where mares underwent standing laparoscopic ovariectomy for pathologically enlarged ovaries, using electrosurgical bipolar forceps with integrated guillotine as the sole haemostatic method, with outcomes assessed via logistic regression analysis. Surgery was successfully completed in 54 of 55 mares (98%), with only one requiring conversion to additional haemostatic support; minor complications included postoperative abdominal discomfort (n=9), delayed wound healing (n=6), and two iatrogenic uterine punctures, yet none of these prevented long-term success. The research demonstrates that standing sedation with electrosurgical haemostasis alone can reliably manage ovaries up to 30 cm in diameter, eliminating the need for general anaesthesia and its associated risks whilst maintaining excellent safety outcomes. For equine practitioners, this validates the minimally invasive standing approach for even significant ovarian pathology, offering mares improved recovery, reduced anaesthetic risk, and faster return to function compared with traditional surgical techniques.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Standing laparoscopic ovariectomy with electrosurgical haemostasis is a reliable and safe technique for removing pathologically enlarged ovaries in mares, even those up to 30 cm in diameter
- •The procedure can be performed predictably in standing, sedated mares without routine need for additional haemostatic devices, reducing surgical complexity and recovery time
- •Expect minor post-operative complications in roughly 30% of cases (abdominal discomfort, wound healing delays) but these should not compromise long-term outcomes
Key Findings
- •54 of 55 mares (98.2%) successfully underwent laparoscopic ovariectomy using only electrosurgical haemostasis without conversion to open surgery
- •Enlarged ovaries up to 30 cm diameter were successfully removed using the standing laparoscopic technique
- •Minor complications occurred in 17 mares (post-operative abdominal discomfort n=9, delayed wound healing n=6, iatrogenic uterine puncture n=2) but did not prevent long-term success
- •Only one mare required additional haemostatic intervention due to significant intraoperative haemorrhage