KLEIDER VETERINARY SERVICES
SINCE 1978 OVER 30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

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Minimally Invasive Surgery

Whoops! Missing a Testicle?

Gelding your horse is fairly routine unless your horse turns out to be a cryptorchid - commonly called a rig. One or both testicles may be undescended.

What's the big deal?

Major abdominal surgery was previously required. This surgery required a general anesthetic and was typically done blindly using the "grope & hope" method requiring a large incision in the ventral abdomen. Recovery time was extensive and some complications fatal. The complications included infection and evisceration - the prolapse of intestines out of the abdomen through the incisions.

What's new?

Laparoscopic surgery does not require a general anesthetic, incisions are small and the surgery is done through the flank under direct TV monitor visualization using a miniature camera telescope.

Preparation

After the patient has been fasted for 24 hours he is restrained in stocks and the flanks are surgically clipped and prepped. Sterile technique is used and the horse is fully draped. The horse is catheterized, & sedated. This is followed by administration of pre-op antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Vital signs are monitored. Maintenance includes IV fluids & supplemental pain medication during surgery.

Technique

Small incisions are placed in the respective flank after infiltration with local anesthetic.

The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to increase visibility and allow room for placement of instruments. Hollow tubes called cannulas are placed through the incisions into the abdomen. These have valves on them preventing escape of the gas.

The pressure is monitored by the insufflation machine. The telescope camera is introduced through the top cannula and held by the assistant surgeon. The other 2 cannulas are used to introduce grabbers and high tech coagulating & stapling instruments operated by the surgeon. A team approach is important and the 2 surgeons work in concert with one another as they view the monitor.

At the completion of surgery one incision is enlarged enough to allow the small testicle to be "popped" out. Incisions are routinely closed with deep sutures and skin staples.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Specialized long instruments are required for vessel sealing and removal (figure 1).The abdomen is distended using the insufflator & the CO2 tank (figure 2). Small incisions are placed in the respective flank after infiltration with local anesthetic (figure 3). The pressure is monitored by the insufflation machine (figure 4).

Spaying Your Mare

Laparoscopy is the Safest Technique

Laparosopy is a great option for the difficult mare that has temperament issues associated with heat periods.

Tumors of the Ovary

Granulosa cell tumors are not an infrequent cause of aggressive behavior in the mare. These tumors can grow to be quite large and cause infertility by suppressing the opposite ovary. We are able to seal all the numerous vessels easily and remove even large ovarian tumors through the flank. This has simplified this procedure and decreased complications. The tumor below was removed from a large pony.

Other Uses for Laparoscopy

    • Exam for chronic colic
    • Thoracoscopy
    • Bladder issues
    • Organ biops

Home Aftercare

Horses are usually discharged the day after surgery. Post surgical care is minimal but should include:

  • Daily monitoring of temperature & comfort level. An oral anti-inflammatory is usually prescribed for the first few days.
  • Bed on straw bedding and clean regularly to ensure a dry bed. This decreases contamination of the surgical sites.
  • When possible keep a clean summer sheet on your horse. This also protects the surgical site when your horse lies down.
  • Stall rest until staple removal at 12 days.
  • Your horse then can start hand walking and gradually return to exercise.

Experience & Training

Dr. Kleider was trained in laparoscopy by Dr. Hendrickson at Colorado State University in 2004. He brought the technology to BC where he now successfully completes dozens of laparoscopic surgeries annually.

Kleider Veterinary Services
8036 - 232 Street RR#6 Langley, British Columbia V1M 3R8
Office (604) 888-7565 Fax: (604) 888-4033
nkleider@aol.com