Total and partial ovariohysterectomy in seven mares.
Authors: Rötting A K, Freeman D E, Doyle A J, Lock T, Sauberli D
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Total and Partial Ovariohysterectomy in Seven Mares Ovariohysterectomy has long been regarded as a high-risk surgical option for intractable uterine disease in mares, with concerns about perioperative mortality and serious complications such as haemorrhage, septic peritonitis and uterine stump infection overshadowing its therapeutic potential. Between 1994 and 2001, Rötting and colleagues reviewed seven mares (six undergoing total ovariohysterectomy, one partial) treated for chronic pyometra (four cases), chronic uterine torsion (two) and chronic intramural haematoma (one), documenting surgical technique, post-operative management and complications across follow-up periods ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Whilst surgical exposure presented technical challenges, strategic use of stay sutures, right-angled clamps and the TA-90 autosuture instrument substantially improved access to the uterine stump; post-operative morbidity was limited primarily to decreased faecal output and intestinal motility (four mares) and mild abdominal pain (two), with only minor incisional infections and notably no cases of haemorrhage, peritonitis or uterine stump complications. All seven mares survived to the end of follow-up and returned to work—six for riding and one successfully used for embryo transfer—suggesting that with appropriate surgical technique and post-operative care, the feared catastrophic complications may be considerably less frequent than historical literature suggests. For practitioners managing mares with chronic, refractory uterine pathology unresponsive to medical management, ovariohysterectomy warrants reconsideration as a viable salvage procedure with favourable long-term outcomes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Ovariohysterectomy for chronic uterine disease (pyometra, torsion, haematoma) carries a good prognosis with 100% survival in this series; consider as a treatment option for mares with these conditions
- •Post-operative ileus (decreased faecal output and gut sounds) is common but manageable; anticipate and monitor for this complication
- •Proper surgical technique using stay sutures and specialized clamps improves access and reduces technical difficulty during the procedure
Key Findings
- •All 7 mares (6 total, 1 partial ovariohysterectomy) survived with good long-term outcomes over 6 months to 5 years follow-up
- •Most common post-operative complications were decreased faecal output and intestinal sounds (4 mares) and mild abdominal pain (2 mares)
- •Life-threatening complications including haemorrhage, septic peritonitis, uterine stump infection/necrosis, and diarrhoea did not occur in this series
- •Surgical access was improved using traction on stay sutures, right-angled clamps, and TA-90 autosuture instrument application to the uterine stump