title: Laparoscopic vasectomy in African elephants (Loxodonta africana).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a surgical technique for, and outcome after, laparoscopic vasectomy of free-ranging elephants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  African elephants (Loxodonta africana; n = 14).
  
  
  METHODS
  Male elephants (12-35 years old) were anesthetized with etorphine and supported in a sling in a modified standing position, and positive pressure ventilated with oxygen. Anesthesia was maintained with IV etorphine. Vasectomy was performed under field conditions by bilateral, open-approach, flank laparoscopy with the abdomen insufflated with filtered ambient air. A 4-cm segment of each ductus deferens was excised. Behavior and incision healing were recorded for 8 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful bilateral vasectomy (surgical time, 57-125 minutes) was confirmed by histologic examination of excised tissue. Recovery was uneventful without signs of abnormal behavior. Large intestine lacerations (3 elephants; 1 full and 2 partial thickness) were sutured extracorporeally. One elephant found dead at 6 weeks, had no prior abnormal signs. Skin incisions healed without complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic vasectomy can be performed in African elephants in their natural environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rubio-Martínez
authors.forename: Dean A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hendrickson
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stetter
authors.forename: Jeffery R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Zuba
authors.forename: Hendrik J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Marais
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D004606:Elephants / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000662:veterinary*