Surgery of the avian reproductive and gastrointestinal systems

Surgery of the female reproductive system is the most commonly indicated intra-abdominal surgery of avian patients. Surgery of the male reproductive system and avian gastrointestinal tract are less commonly indicated but are occasionally necessary. Indications for surgery of the female reproductive tract include egg-laying-related disorders, dystocia, egg binding, damage or trauma to the oviduct, oviductal torsion and volvulus, abnormal egg production, biopsy or culture of the oviduct, internal laying, egg related coelomitis, oviductal impaction, oviductal or ovarian neoplasia, ovarian cysts, or as a sterilization procedure to stop egg laying. Indications for surgery of the male reproductive tract include castration (most often as a treatment of behavioral problems) and treatment of testicular neoplasia. Indications for gastrointestinal tract surgery include repair of traumatic injury, foreign-body retrieval, obstructive disease, as a treatment for neoplasia, and as a diagnostic tool to retrieve tissue for biopsy. Avian reproductive anatomy and physiology are reviewed. Presurgical and postsurgical patient care ensures successful recovery. Lateral, horizontal, and midline approaches may be preferred based on indication or concurrent disease. Approaches are described in detail. Indications and descriptions of surgery conclude this article.