Standing laparoscopic repair of an uterine rupture in a post-partum mare

Abstract

Causes of uterine rupture are well identified in the equine literature and consist mainly of persistent straining of the mare against a fetal obstruction during a dystocia. The objective of this case report was to describe diagnosis, laparoscopic repair and outcome of a uterine rupture in a post-partum mare. A 12-year-old Trakehner mare was presented to the Surgery Department of the Clinic for Horses of the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen with a uterine rupture after foaling. Standing laparoscopy and suturing of the defect using a barbed loop suture was selected as the treatment of choice. The abdomen was flushed via laparoscopy in the same intervention and no postoperative complications related to peritonitis occurred. Follow-up examination three months after the surgical treatment showed a complete healing of the uterine mucosa. Minimally invasive surgical repair of a uterine rupture in the standing mare was technically feasible and it was related to an excellent outcome in this case.