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Reproductive Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy for Blocked Oviducts
In recent years Scone Equine Hospital has introduced a groundbreaking procedure in previously infertile broodmares. Prostaglandin is placed under laparoscopic visualisation onto the oviduct when a blocked oviduct is suspected of causing infertility. This innovation involves standing laparoscopy, placing a long camera from the horse's flank into the abdomen to get visual access to the oviduct and Prostaglandin is then applied directly onto the duct to clear any blockage and facilitate movement of a fertilised egg into the uterus. Approximately 60 mares have had this procedure performed resulting in an 80% pregnancy rate across the group. Many of these mares had not been pregnant for at least two years, and some for up to four years.
Non-permanent blockage of the oviduct is now a recognised cause of infertility in a mare particularly when the mare consistently fails to conceive despite being inseminated at the right time with a fertile stallion. The mare will also show normal function of the cervix, uterus and ovaries with no evidence of infective endometritis or chronic degenerative endometritis that might normally interfere with conception. Studies have identified the presence of oviducal masses that physically obstruct the passage of eggs.
What does the procedure involve?
At around 4 days after ovulation and following natural service, the
mare is sedated, placed in a crush and medicated. The hair is
clipped from both flanks and the skin prepared for surgery. A large
drape is placed across the mares’ left flank and back. Local
anaesthetic is injected under the skin and into the abdominal
muscles. A 12 mm trocar is passed through a 1cm incision and then
replaced with a laparoscope with a 300 viewing angle. The abdomen is
filled with Carbon Dioxide and the ovary visualised. A second trocar
is then inserted and grasping forceps are used to thoroughly examine
the entire length of the oviduct, ovary and tip of the left uterine
horn. The forceps are then replaced with a 5mm injection cannula and
Prostaglandin gel is then applied to the external surface of the
entire length of the oviduct. The Carbon Dioxide is released from
the abdomen, the skin portals closed and the entire procedure
repeated on the opposite flank.
What happens after the surgery?
Mares tolerate this procedure very well. Following surgery, the mare
is returned to the paddock within 24 hours and post-operative care
is not necessary. The mare is later examined for pregnancy in a
routine fashion.
What are the risks for this procedure?
Any surgery is not without some risk but providing the technique is
undertaken correctly the risks are very low. All mares that had this
procedure were grazing in a paddock within 24 hours of surgery and
no complications were encountered. For further information go to
Equine Surgery Risks.
When is the best time for this surgery?
The procedure is done at day 4 after ovulation to coincide with the
normal time of movement of the fertilized egg from the oviduct into
the uterus.
Does the mare need to have the same procedure again?
The procedure only needs to be done once in the stud season and
there is good evidence to suggest that if your mare does not get
pregnant during that stud season there is no need to repeat the
procedure again at the beginning of the following stud season. Some
mare owners elect to undertake the procedure at the beginning of the
stud season to ensure any blockages are corrected prior to
commencement of serving.