Laparoscopic‐assisted splenectomy in a horse with splenomegaly

Abstract

Summary This reports describes the surgical management of a horse evaluated for recurrent colic. These frequent colic episodes were attributed by exclusion to an abnormally enlarged spleen (idiopathic splenomegaly). Splenectomy was elected and performed with a laparoscopic assisted technique. The advantages observed by using this surgical approach were a clear view of the visceral aspect of the spleen and consequently an accurate dissection of the hilus of the spleen and associated vasculature. Ultimately the laparoscopic technique allowed the surgeons to reduce the size of the laparotomy incision required to remove the spleen and the overall invasiveness of the procedure. The horse recovered well from the procedure and ultimately returned to the previous level of competitiveness.

Suspected case of hypersplenism as a cause of anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia in a Miniature Horse gelding

“…Splenomegaly was reported as a cause of recurrent colic in a 10‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding (Ortved et al . ). Additional causes of splenomegaly include haematological disorders, splenic artery thrombosis and infectious diseases such as babesiosis, theileriosis and infection with equine infectious anaemia virus (Scott et al .…”

Hypersplenism

“…In this patient the ultrasonographic appearance of the splenic parenchyma was considered normal (Ortved et al . ). It should be emphasised that the presence of splenic enlargement alone does not establish the diagnosis of hypersplenism, however the development of splenomegaly alone may lead to clinical signs of abdominal pain and associated presentation for colic.…”

“…Additionally, previous reports have supported the suggestion that laparoscopic removal may provide surgeons with improved visualisation of the medial aspect of the organ providing an improved ability toward vessel transection and ligation and has been reported in an equine patient with marked splenomegaly and colic (Ortved et al . ). Regardless, in patients that present with splenomegaly and hypersplenism, surgical splenectomy may provide a therapeutic option.…”

Foreign body‐associated splenic abscess in a horse

“…Several surgical techniques have been proposed based on elective procedures, and splenectomy for medical reasons has been approached via thoracotomy (Madron et al . 2011) or laparotomy and resection of the 17th rib with (Ortved et al . 2008) or without laparoscopic assistance (Roy et al .…”

“…2012), with spleens weighing 21 kg in a mule with splenic lymphosarcoma (Madron et al . 2011) and 36 kg in a horse with idiopathic splenomegaly (Ortved et al . 2008).…”