Development of a new laparoscopic Foramen Epiploicum Mesh Closure (FEMC) technique in 6 horses

• DOI: 10.1111/evj.12427
• Publication Date: 2015-02-13T06:05:27Z
• Authors: T. van Bergen; P. Wiemer; L. Bosseler; F. Ugahary; A. Martens
• Keywords: 0403 veterinary science; Postoperative Complications; Animals; Laparoscopy; Horses; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; Surgical Mesh; Peritoneal Cavity

SummaryReasons for performing studyEpiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) is, based on the number of reports in the literature, a relatively important life‐threatening cause of colic in horses that could be prevented by closing the epiploic foramen (EF) in horses at risk of developingEFE.ObjectivesTo describe the laparoscopic foramen epiploicum mesh closure (FEMC) technique and its outcome.Study designDescriptive experimental study.MethodsTheEFof 6 horses was closed with theFEMCtechnique. A diabolo‐shaped constructed mesh was introduced into the omental vestibule through theEFunder laparoscopic visualisation in the standing sedated horse. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded during the post operative period. Four weeks after the intervention, repeat laparoscopy was performed in all horses. Three horses were subjected to euthanasia one, 2 and 3 months after the intervention, and were examined on necropsy and histopathology. The remaining 3 horses were followed clinically for 6 months.ResultsThe 6FEMCprocedures were performed successfully in a median surgery time of 22 min (range 18–27 min). One horse was treated for large colon impaction in the immediate post operative period. On repeat laparoscopy at 4 weeks all 6EFswere closed and no undesired adhesions were identified. This was confirmed on gross and histopathological examination of the 3 horses that were subjected to euthanasia. The 3 remaining horses were clinically normal in the 6‐month post operative observation period.ConclusionsThisFEMCtechnique provides a fast, simple, reliable and safe procedure to obliterate theEFand may be useful in horses at risk forEFE.