Laparoscopic repair of a small intestinal mesenteric rent in a broodmare.

OBJECTIVES

To describe standing laparoscopic repair of mesoduodenal rent inaccessible by ventral median celiotomy.

STUDY

DESIGN

Clinical case report.

SAMPLE POPULATION: A 6-year-old Thoroughbred broodmare with a right displacement of the dorsal colon and small intestinal incarceration in a mesoduodenal rent.

METHODS

Two days after correction of a right dorsal displacement of the ascending colon, small intestinal incarceration, and partial closure of mesoduodenal rent, standing left and right flank laparoscopy was used to explore the abdomen to identify the mesoduodenal defect. The mesenteric rent was repaired from right flank portals by approximation with hemostatic clips.

RESULTS

Approximation of the mesoduodenal rent was achieved with laparoscopic clips. No further complications or signs of abdominal pain occurred over the following year.

CONCLUSIONS

Mesenteric rents in the mesoduodenum can be repaired by laparoscopic techniques in the standing horse.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of laparoscopic techniques in the standing horse should be considered for mesoduodenal rents that are not accessible form a ventral median celiotomy.