Elevating the uterus (uteropexy) of five mares by laparoscopically imbricating the mesometrium

Reasons for performing study: There is a need for study of a method for restoring a ventrally positioned uterus to a horizontal position involving fertility of mares with delayed uterine clearance. Hypothesis: A ventrally‐angled uterus can be elevated to a horizontal position using a laparoscopic technique. Objective: To develop a laparoscopic technique of imbricating the mesometria to elevate the uterus to a horizontal position. Methods: The right and left mesometria of 5 pluriparous mares, all barren for 1–8 years (mean 3.8 years), with a pendulous, ventrally‐angled uterus were shortened laparoscopically, by imbrication, with the mares standing, to raise the uterine body and horns to a horizontal position. Sutures were placed through the dorsal aspect of the uterine body and uterine horn and the adjacent region of the mesometrium using a simple continuous suture pattern. Results: The uterus of all 5 mares was elevated successfully to a horizontal position. Three of the mares became pregnant the same year, without other treatment, after the procedure. Conclusions: A pendulous, ventrally‐angled uterus can be returned to a normal, horizontal position by imbricating the mesometria, using a laparoscopic technique. Potential relevance: Elevating a ventrally‐angled uterus to a horizontal position may improve egress of uterine debris, thereby improving fertility.     

Single‐port laparoscopic incisional hernia repair in a horse

A 16‐year‐old Italian Saddle Horse gelding was referred for treatment of an incisional hernia that developed 7 months after a ventral midline laparotomy for treatment of acute abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a hernia approximately 20 cm long and 15 cm wide on the ventral aspect of the abdomen. Ultrasonography revealed the dimensions of the hernia ring to be approximately 15 cm in length and 10 cm in width. A single‐port laparoscopic incisional hernia repair using an operating 0° laparoscope was performed with an appropriately sized (24 × 18 cm) piece of mesh fixed in place with simple interrupted transabdominal sutures. At 4 weeks post operatively, follow‐up physical examination and ultrasonography confirmed healing of the surgical site with no evidence of hernia recurrence. The same evaluation was done 6 months post operatively, and the horse returned to its previous level of activity 8 months post operatively. In horses, laparoscopic application of mesh should be considered among the treatment options for incisional hernia. In the present case, this technique was performed with a single port using an operative laparoscope, in contrast to the multiportal techniques reported previously. The case presented here demonstrates that single‐port laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is feasible, and allows proper placement of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene intraperitoneal mesh in horses     

Laparoscopic ovariectomy using the endo-GIA stapling device and endo-catch pouches and evaluation of analgesic efficacy of epidural morphine sulfate in 10 mares

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of ENDO-GIA staples and ENDO-Catch pouches for ovariectomy in mares and to evaluate the efficacy of epidural morphine analgesia. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: Mares (n = 10) with normal ovaries. METHODS: An Endo-GIA II stapler (United States Surgical Corp., Norwalk, CT) was used to amputate the ovaries bilaterally, in standing mares, and Endo-Catch II pouches (United States Surgical Corp.) were used for retrieval. Epidural morphine was used in 5 mares, and procedure duration, volume of lidocaine required to desensitize the ovarian pedicle, and sedation were compared with horses not administered epidural morphine. RESULTS: Use of the Endo-GIA II stapling device was an easy and an efficient method of ovariectomy, which was facilitated by use of epidural morphine. For the epidural group, the mean (+/-SD) surgical time was 69.2 +/- 10.2 minutes compared with 124.4 +/- 21.2 minutes for mares not administered morphine. Less systemic sedation was required for mares administered epidural morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal ovarian manipulation was required to apply the stapler, hemorrhage was slight, and none of the mares had complications. Epidural morphine provided effective analgesia, improving patient comfort, and reduced the sedation needed to perform ovariectomy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Endo-GIA II staples are an efficient method for ovariectomy in normal mares. Epidural morphine should be considered to facilitate ovariectomy because less sedation and local anesthetic administration is required.     

Colour‐Doppler ultrasound imaging as a laparoscopy substitute to count corpora lutea in superovulated sheep

This study evaluated colour‐Doppler ultrasound imaging (UI) as a substitute for laparoscopy to count the corpora lutea (CL) in superovulated sheep. Twenty‐five Santa Ines ewes were superovulated three times at 21‐day intervals. Corpora lutea were counted by colour‐Doppler UI (CL_DOPPLER) 6 days after each superovulation and confirmed by laparoscopy (CL_LAP) 12 hr later. The mean number of CL was similar for both techniques (2.1 ± 2.5 vs. 2.1 ± 2.7 for CL_DOPPLER and CL_LAP, respectively) with a significant positive correlation (r = .94; r²=.89). Colour‐Doppler UI effectively evaluated the ovarian response in superovulated ewes and efficiently identified animals that did not respond to superovulation.     

Laparoscopic Embryo Transfer in Pigs：Knowledge for Surgical Procedures

The objective of the study was to describe and improve a technique for laparoscopic embryo transfer into the oviduct and uterine horns of pigs and to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this method. Fourteen female pigs were randomly allocated into groups A and B: three portals were used for group A, and the simulation of embryo (0.9% NaCl, 0.2 mL) was injected into the tip of uterine horn; three or four portals were used for group B, and the injection set of the oviduct was inserted through the abdominal orifice of uterine tube into the oviduct to inject the simulation of embryo. The repeat laparoscopy was performed on the 21st day. Three pigs randomly selected from each groups were repeated the same procedure three times, and then were euthanized on the 21st day after the last surgery and a complete necropsy performed. Laparoscopic embryo transfer was performed successfully in all pigs without major intra-and post-operative complications. The average surgical time which accomplished procedures for groups A and B was 18.6 min (range, 28-14 min) and 37.4 min (range, 53-29 min). Postoperatively, none of pigs appeared to abnormal signs. This study demonstrated that laparoscopic embryo transfer could be easily accomplished by using the special-purpose equipment and increasing reuse time of a female recipient.     

Hand‐assisted laparoscopic adhesiolysis of extensive small intestinal adhesions in a mare after breeding injury

In this article we report the course of disease in a mare following severe vaginal injury during natural cover. Although the genital injury healed completely, the mare developed extensive intra‐abdominal intestinal adhesions causing complete small intestinal obstruction 2 years after the incident. The adhesion was not accessible during initial emergency laparotomy and a standing, hand‐assisted laparoscopic adhesiolysis and jejuno‐jejunal end‐to‐end anastomosis were subsequently performed. The mare was subjected to euthanasia 10 weeks after surgery due to recurrence of abdominal pain. The pertaining literature is discussed in regards to this case.     

An alveolar recruitment maneuver followed by positive end-expiratory pressure improves lung function in healthy dogs undergoing laparoscopy

Objective

To evaluate the effects of an alveolar recruitment maneuver (ARM) followed by 5 cmH₂O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in dogs undergoing laparoscopy.

脂肪间充质干细胞条件培养基对小型猪肝缺血再灌注合并肝部分切除炎症反应的影响

本研究旨在探究脂肪间充质干细胞条件培养基（adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells-condition medium,ADSCs-CM）对小型猪肝缺血再灌注合并肝部分切除炎症反应的作用。基于腹腔镜技术对24头小型猪建立肝缺血再灌注（ischemia reperfusion,IR）合并肝部分切除模型,根据术后对肝移植4种不同物质：生理盐水、浓缩的基础培养基、浓缩的脂肪间充质干细胞培养基、脂肪间充质干细胞,将小型猪分为模型组（IRI）、DMEM组（DMEM）、ADSCs-CM组（CM）和ADSCs组（ADSCs）4组,每组6只。分别于术前、术后1、3、7 d采集血液与肝组织样本,通过病理组织学炎性细胞的观察,血液常规指标的检测,血清皮质醇（COR）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、透明质酸（HA）的ELISA检测,肝组织炎症相关基因IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α、IL-10 mRNA的qRT-PCR检测综合评价ADSCs-CM对炎症反应的作用。结果显示：术后1和3 d：IRI组、DMEM组的病理切片出现较多炎性细胞,血常规和炎症相关基因结果也表明术后发生炎症反应,而CM组和ADSCs组显著减少组织中炎性细胞的浸润和血液中白细胞（WBC）、中性粒细胞（NE）、淋巴细胞（LY）的细胞数,降低组织中促炎因子IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α mRNA的表达水平,并提高抗炎因子IL-10 mRNA的表达水平。术后7 d,各组基本恢复到术前水平。综上表明：肝缺血再灌注合并肝部分切除可致炎症的发生,ADSCs-CM和ADSCs均可改善肝缺血再灌注合并肝部分切除的炎症反应,ADSCs-CM移植有潜力成为未来治疗炎症反应的无细胞疗法。     

动物腹腔镜技术的应用研究进展

在国外,腹腔镜技术已经用于动物疾病诊疗、活体检查、组织取样、卵巢卵泡发育情况及局部解剖观察,以及辅助进行动物的人工授精、胚胎移植等;还可以进行犬、猫等动物的子宫、卵巢切除术、牛皱胃左方变位整复术等手术操作。在国内,动物腹腔镜技术起步较晚,目前仅局限于胚胎移植或人工授精过程中对卵巢卵泡发育情况的观察,或进行简单的操作。文章阐明了腹腔镜技术创伤小、恢复快、对机体影响小等优点,分析了目前动物腹腔镜技术相对滞后的原因,指明了该技术在动物上的应用前景。