Use of laparoscopic equipment to divide abdominal adhesions in a filly

Exploratory laparoscopy of the right dorsal portion of the abdominal cavity was performed on a Standardbred filly because of signs of mild abdominal pain of 7 days' duration. On the basis of clinical examination, diagnosis was suppurative peritonitis, abdominal adhesions in the area of the right ovary, and right displacement and impaction of the pelvic flexure of the ascending colon. During laparoscopy, an abdominal adhesion between the right uterine horn, the cecum, and the pelvic flexure was identified. The abdominal adhesions were either stretched with laparoscopic forceps used as a probe or dissected bluntly with the tips of a pair of 10-mm laparoscopic Kelly forceps. Antibiotics were administered for 21 days after surgery. The horse fully recovered and raced 11 months after the surgery.