Left paralumbar fossa approach combined with mesocolon fenestration for bilateral equine ovariectomy.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Left Paralumbar Fossa Approach for Bilateral Equine Ovariectomy Bilateral ovariectomy in standing sedated mares traditionally requires either two separate incisions or complex laparoscopic positioning; Devick and Hendrickson (2019) evaluated whether a single left paralumbar fossa approach combined with mesocolon fenestration could simplify access to both ovaries. In five client-owned mares and one mule maintained under standing sedation with α₂-agonist infusion, surgeons accessed the left ovary directly through the paralumbar incision, then created a window in the mesocolon to visualise and manipulate the contralateral right ovary—allowing triangulation and adequate exposure without repositioning. Both ovarian pedicles were successfully ligated and transected in all animals; only mild incisional emphysema occurred in two cases, resolving spontaneously, with all equids returning to normal work within 90 days. Whilst the small sample size limits definitive conclusions, this approach offers equine surgeons a potentially less invasive alternative to traditional bilateral ovariectomy techniques, reducing operative time and recovery complexity whilst maintaining excellent safety margins. Practitioners should consider this method particularly for standing surgical protocols, though larger comparative studies would help establish whether mesocolon fenestration truly reduces perioperative morbidity compared with conventional approaches.

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Key Findings

• •Left paralumbar fossa approach combined with mesocolon fenestration successfully accessed both ovaries in 5/5 equids (4 mares, 1 mule)
• •Only complication was mild incisional emphysema in 2/5 equids, resolving spontaneously
• •All 5 equids returned to intended use by 90 days post-operatively

Conditions Studied