Vestibuloplasty for Persistent Pneumovagina in Mares

Occasionally Caslick vulvoplasty does not resolve the condition of pneumovagina. This study aimed at evaluating the validity of surgical construction of artificial vestibular valve in standing mares. For 10 sedated mares with history of chronic pneumovagina, upside down U-form incision was made on the vestibular mucosa and sutured together to form a large valve after the cover. The surgical site was opened for another cover or foaling and sutured again. The condition of air aspiration into the vagina was monitored ultrasonographically after the surgery. In 9 of the 10 mares, the signs of pneumovagina improved after the surgery and 8 mares had normal foaling the next year. In addition, all mares which had the second surgery after the surgical site was incised for the second cover or foaling were conceived and had normal foaling in the following breeding season. The results revealed that construction of the vestibular valve can be a potential surgical option for the treatment of persistent pneumovagina.