Laparoscopic mesh incisional hernioplasty in five horses.
OBJECTIVE
To report a technique for incisional hernioplasty in horses using laparoscopic placement of a prosthetic mesh.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Horses (n=5) with ventral median abdominal incisional hernia.


METHODS
A telescope and 2 instrument portals were established bilaterally, lateral to and distant from the hernia margins. After exposure of the internal rectus sheath by removal of retroperitoneal fat with endoscopic scissors and monopolar cautery, a prosthetic mesh was introduced into the abdomen and secured intraperitoneally using transfascial sutures with or without supplemental endoscopic hernia fixation devices.


RESULTS
Successful placement of the prostheses was achieved without major intra- or postoperative complications. Repairs were intact in all horses (follow-up range: 6-23 months) without evidence of adhesion formation. Cosmetic results compared favorably with those typically achieved using conventional, open hernioplasty techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Incisional hernia repair in horses can be successfully achieved with a laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh onlay technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic mesh hernioplasty has promise as a safe and effective method for repair of incisional hernias in horses.
Caron
John P
JP
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. caron@cvm.msu.edu
Mehler
Steven J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages / Q000662:veterinary; D003085:Colic / Q000150:complications; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006736:Horses; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000662:veterinary; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000662:veterinary*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D014463:Ultrasonography