Standing laparoscopic ovariectomy combined with a small flank incision is a safe and highly effective technique for removal of large pathologic ovaries in the mare, negating the requirement for general anesthesia or large incisions.

This study provides information about lesion types and post operative survival that may be used to assist informed decision-making when managing these cases.

Summary Background Indirect inguinal hernia (IIH) is the most commonly reported acquired hernia in adult horses. Outcomes following surgical intervention comprising of immediate ventral midline laparotomy (IVML) and simultaneous castration are well known. The outcome following reduction of IIH utilising a noninvasive manual reduction (MR) technique in a large number of horses has not been previously reported. Objectives To describe a nonsurgical MR technique developed by the authors and to report our long‐term experiences and clinical outcome. Study design Retrospective study. Methods Medical records of 89 stallions presenting with IIH and treated with MR were reviewed. Extensive patient data was collected, with cases grouped based on outcome of the MR procedure and whether or not laparotomy was performed. Data on short‐ and long‐term outcome was obtained. Results Manual reduction was successful in 80 of 89 (90%) horses. Fifty of 89 (56%) horses were treated with MR only and without exploratory laparotomy. In total 29 of 89 (33%) horses underwent IVML and 10 of 89 (11%) delayed ventral midline laparotomy (DVML). Resections were performed in 6 of 89 (8%) horses. Concurrent small intestinal volvulus was diagnosed in 8 of 89 (9%) horses. Horses undergoing DVML following a successful MR had the highest mortality rates during hospitalisation (4/10, 40%). Short‐term survival was 92% (82/89). Ipsilateral reoccurrence of IIH post‐hospital discharge was recorded in 7 of 47 (15%) horses. Overall long‐term survival with a median of 12 years was 72% (34/47). Main limitations These include the retrospective nature of data collection, lack of standardised pre‐ and post‐MR clinical assessments and a biased Warmblood population. Conclusions Manual reduction appears to be a feasible nonsurgical technique to reduce IIH in adult Warmblood horses, with favourable survival rates. Individual case assessment is crucial, as delayed laparotomy may increase mortality rates. Suspicion of concurrent small intestinal volvulus or devitalised small intestine always warrants immediate laparotomy following MR.

Summary Caecocolic intussusception is an uncommon cause of colic in the horse. Surgical correction presents its own set of challenges. The affected tissue is often markedly oedematous and a partial typhlectomy through an enterotomy incision in the right ventral colon can be the only method of successfully reducing the intussusceptum. Suture ligation of the nonviable portion of caecum can result in cut through of tissue, which can lead to an insecure ligation. In addition, a right ventral colon enterotomy can result in life‐threatening peritoneal contamination. This report describes the novel use of polyamide tie‐wraps to ligate the inverted caecum, allowing for partial typhlectomy and reduction of the intussusceptum, as well as a method to minimise potential abdominal contamination. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of the use of polyamide tie‐wraps in the gastrointestinal tract of the horse.

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Summary Five horses with a primary surgical lesion of the small (descending) colon were diagnosed with eosinophilic colitis based on visual and histopathological examination. These were evident as visibly striking, hyperaemic, focal lesions of the small colon, with serosal petechiation, oedema and marked thickening of the intestinal wall at the site. Areas of focal necrosis were also evident. The gross appearance of the lesions were considered to be sufficiently severe in all cases to merit resection, due to concerns about intestinal necrosis and septic peritonitis. An inability to fully exteriorise the affected portion of intestine to perform a resection and anastomosis necessitated intraoperative euthanasia of one horse. A total of three horses survived to hospital discharge. Eosinophilic colitis lesions are a rare cause of severe small colon disease, but should be considered in cases with similar visual characteristics.

SummaryThis report describes two cases of successful surgical management of granulosa cell tumours (GCT) in mares presenting with haemoperitoneum (HP). Controlled abdominal drainage was initially attempted in Case 1 but was not successful. A ventral midline exploratory laparotomy allowed removal of a haemorrhaging 13 kg GCT. The mare made a full recovery and returned to normal work as a driving pony 11 months post-operatively. In Case 2 controlled abdominal drainage was followed by standing left flank laparoscopic visualisation of the bleeding ovary and transection of the ovarian pedicle by electrocautery. The GCT was then removed via a ventral midline incision due to its large size. Haemoperitoneum can be associated with GCTs and in some cases is severe enough to prompt emergency treatment. Stabilisation of the patient and removal of the haemorrhaging GCT can lead to a successful outcome.

Summary Lipomatosis is an uncommon cause of colic. This case report details the pre‐ and intraoperative findings of a 9‐year‐old gelding, presented with acute abdominal pain. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a massive fatty infiltrate involving an extensive portion of the base and mid‐body of the caecum. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an infiltrative lipomatous lesion of the equine caecum.