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The objective of this study was to determine the effect of bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy on peritoneal fluid values in mares and compare how this effect was modified by the method of ovarian vessel hemostasis used. Ten mares undergoing standing bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy were used in a randomized clinical study. During surgery, blood vessels within the mesovarium were either: (1) sealed and transected with a vessel sealing and dividing device (VSDD), or (2) ligated using two loops placed proximal to each ovary and then the mesovarium transected using laparoscopic scissors. The ovaries were removed through the ipsilateral body wall. Abdominocentesis was performed before surgery and 24 h and 72 h after surgery. Markers of peritoneal inflammation, as measured by total nucleated cell count, total protein (TP) and red blood cell count via abdominocentesis, were consistently increased for all groups compared to pre-operative values. The mean (range) of TP for the VSDD group was 4.14 (3.9-4.5) g/dL, and that for the ligating loop group was 3.18 (2.7-3.5) g/dL. Use of the VSDD resulted in significantly greater TP concentrations in the abdominal fluid at 24 h and 72 h post-operatively when compared to a ligating loop (P <0.001 and 0.04, respectively)., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Many urogenital procedures of the mare are commonly performed with the mare standing. Ovariectomy via colpotomy was described as early as 1903, and the Caslick vulvoplasty was first described in 1937. As knowledge expands and instruments become more specialized, techniques will improve. With the introduction of laparoscopy, clinicians have not only been able to improve the previously described urogenital procedures but also to devise new procedures. This article describes multiple surgeries of the female urogenital tract, all of which can be performed with the mare standing, and describes a variety of approaches to some portions of the female urogenital tract., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To quantify changes in biomechanical stability and stiffness within the equine carpus after removal of 50%, 80%, and 100% of the second metacarpal bone (MC2)., Study Design: In vitro biomechanical study., Methods: Cadaveric equine forelimbs (n = 16) were evaluated. Intact constructs were loaded in axial compression from 0 to 5000 N and compression + torsion (5000 N ± 20°) for 5 cycles. This was repeated after removal of 50%, 80%, and 100% of MC2. The primary biomechanical outcome variables were the compressive stiffness and compressive + torsional stiffness of the carpus. Relative kinematic motion was also evaluated between the second carpal bone (C2) and the radial carpal bone (RC), C2 and the third metacarpal bone (MC3) and C2 and the third carpal bone (C3)., Results: A significant decrease in compressive + torsional stiffness was found after 100% removal of MC2. Compressive stiffness of the carpus did not change after 100% MC2 removal. A significant increase in relative rotation around the z-axis (rotation around the long axis) was observed for C2 versus MC3 and C2 versus C3 when 100% of MC2 was removed as compared to 80%, 50%, and 0% removal. No significant difference in relative rotation between C2 and RC was detected., Conclusions: The biomechanical results reported here suggest that the torsional stability of the equine carpus is significantly decreased only after complete resection of MC2., (© Copyright 2012 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Objective: To investigate tissue diffusion of anesthetic agent following administration of low palmar nerve blocks (LPBs) in horses., Design: Randomized clinical trial., Animals: 12 adult horses., Procedures: In 9 horses, mepivacaine hydrochloride-iohexol (50:50 dilution) injections were administered bilaterally (2 or 4 mL/site) to affect the medial and lateral palmar and palmar metacarpal nerves (4 sites). Lateral radiographic views of both metacarpal regions were obtained before and at 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after block administration; proximal and distal extents of contrast medium (and presumably anesthetic agent) diffusion from palmar and palmar metacarpal injection sites were measured and summed to determine total diffusion. Methylene blue solution was injected in forelimbs of 3 other horses that were subsequently euthanized to determine the potential route of anesthetic agent diffusion to the proximal suspensory ligament region., Results: Mean extents of proximal and total contrast medium diffusion were 4.0 and 6.6 cm, respectively, for the palmar metacarpal nerves and 4.3 and 7.1 cm, respectively, for the palmar nerves. Subtle proximal diffusion secondary to lymphatic drainage was evident in 17 of the 18 limbs. Contrast medium was detected in the metacarpophalangeal joint or within the digital flexor tendon sheath in 8 and 7 limbs, respectively. In the cadaver limbs, methylene blue solution did not extend to the proximal suspensory ligament region., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: In horses, LPBs resulted in minimal proximal diffusion of anesthetic agent from the injection sites. Limbs should be aseptically prepared prior to LPB administration because inadvertent intrasynovial injection may occur.