Laparoscopic ovariectomy using the endo-GIA stapling device and endo-catch pouches and evaluation of analgesic efficacy of epidural morphine sulfate in 10 mares.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate use of ENDO-GIA staples and ENDO-Catch pouches for ovariectomy in mares and to evaluate the efficacy of epidural morphine analgesia.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Mares (n = 10) with normal ovaries.


METHODS
An Endo-GIA II stapler (United States Surgical Corp., Norwalk, CT) was used to amputate the ovaries bilaterally, in standing mares, and Endo-Catch II pouches (United States Surgical Corp.) were used for retrieval. Epidural morphine was used in 5 mares, and procedure duration, volume of lidocaine required to desensitize the ovarian pedicle, and sedation were compared with horses not administered epidural morphine.


RESULTS
Use of the Endo-GIA II stapling device was an easy and an efficient method of ovariectomy, which was facilitated by use of epidural morphine. For the epidural group, the mean (+/-SD) surgical time was 69.2 +/- 10.2 minutes compared with 124.4 +/- 21.2 minutes for mares not administered morphine. Less systemic sedation was required for mares administered epidural morphine.


CONCLUSIONS
Minimal ovarian manipulation was required to apply the stapler, hemorrhage was slight, and none of the mares had complications. Epidural morphine provided effective analgesia, improving patient comfort, and reduced the sedation needed to perform ovariectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Endo-GIA II staples are an efficient method for ovariectomy in normal mares. Epidural morphine should be considered to facilitate ovariectomy because less sedation and local anesthetic administration is required.
Van Hoogmoed
Linda M
LM
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. lmvanhoogmoed@ucdavis.edu
Galuppo
Larry D
LD
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000662:veterinary; D011187:Posture; D011897:Random Allocation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine