A review of equine laparoscopy

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Equine Medicine

Background:

• Human minimally invasive surgery (MIS) origins trace back to the mid-900s, with modern techniques emerging by 1912.
• Equine laparoscopy, first documented in the 1970s, has seen substantial advancements over the past four decades.
• MIS is now the standard of care for numerous equine surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a historical overview of minimally invasive surgery.
• To highlight current techniques employed in equine minimally invasive surgery.
• To emphasize key aspects of instrumentation, ligation, and surgical principles in equine MIS.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of minimally invasive surgery development.
• Description of current equine laparoscopy techniques and applications.
• Focus on instrumentation, ligation methods, and surgical principles.

Main Results:

• Equine laparoscopy has transformed from its 1970s origins into a widely adopted standard of care.
• Established MIS as the standard for procedures like cryptorchidectomy, ovariectomy, and abdominal exploratory surgeries.
• Detailed discussion of instrumentation, ligation techniques, and core surgical principles.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive surgery has a rich history and continues to evolve in equine practice.
• Current equine MIS techniques are well-established and represent the standard of care for many procedures.
• Understanding the historical context and specific principles is crucial for advancing equine surgical practices.