Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair in a warmblood mare.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Röcken, Michael et al.
- Affiliation:
- Tierä · Germany
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A veterinarian successfully repaired a diaphragmatic hernia (a tear in the diaphragm that can cause organs to move into the chest) in an 18-year-old Warmblood mare using a special technique that doesn't require full anesthesia. The mare had severe colic and initially underwent surgery for a related issue, but the first attempt to fix the hernia was unsuccessful because her spleen blocked the view. A week later, the vet performed a different procedure while the mare was still standing and sedated, allowing them to repair the hernia without major complications. After the surgery, the mare did not experience any long-term problems and was able to return to her normal activities, including being used for breeding.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe successful repair of a diaphragmatic hernia in a standing sedated horse using a minimally invasive thoracoscopic technique. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMALS: Warmblood mare with a diaphragmatic hernia. RESULTS: An 18-year-old Warmblood mare with severe colic was referred for surgical treatment of small intestinal strangulation in a diaphragmatic defect. Twelve days after initial conventional colic surgery, left-sided laparoscopy in the standing sedated mare for diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy failed because the spleen obscured the hernia. One week later, a left-sided thoracoscopy was performed in the standing sedated horse and the hernia repaired by an intrathoracic suture technique. No long-term complications occurred (up to 4 years) and the mare returned to her previous athletic activity, followed by use as a broodmare. CONCLUSIONS: To avoid the high risks associated with general anesthesia, and to reduce surgical trauma and postoperative recovery, central diaphragmatic hernias are amenable to repair using a minimally invasive thoracoscopic technique in the standing sedated horse.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23617553/