Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Uterine torsion and uterine tear in a mare.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1992
- Authors:
- Perkins, N R et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 15-year-old Standard-bred mare was having abdominal pain while she was pregnant. A veterinarian found that her uterus had twisted in a counterclockwise direction, which can happen during late pregnancy. They performed surgery to fix the twist while the mare was standing and discovered a tear in the uterus. After repositioning the uterus, the mare successfully delivered a healthy colt, and the tear was repaired through the vagina. The mare recovered well and went home 10 days after the surgery.
Abstract
A 15-year-old Standard-bred mare was examined because of signs of abdominal discomfort in late gestation. Palpation per rectum revealed tight broad ligaments above and below the uterus, with the right broad ligament running across the top of the uterine body down toward the left, ventral side of the abdomen. A diagnosis of counterclockwise uterine torsion was made and surgical correction was approached via a left, flank laparotomy with the horse standing. The uterus was repositioned and a uterine tear encompassing 180 degrees of the uterine surface was found in the lateral, uterine body just cranial to the cervix. A live colt was delivered vaginally after uterine repositioning and the laparotomy incision was closed. The uterine tear was then repaired via a blind, vaginal approach. The mare was discharged 10 days after surgery. Repair per vaginum of a uterine tear is presented as an alternative treatment in cases for which the tear is recent, abdominal contamination is minimal, and the tear is easily accessible from the vaginal approach.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1644654/