Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a procedure which is used to look inside the abdomen to help identify and diagnose a range of conditions, including ovarian cysts. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall and a laparoscope (a thin, bendy microscope with a light at the end) is passed through it into the abdomen.
The surgical team at the hospital is now equipped to perform standing laparoscopic surgical procedures in addition to using this technique for diagnosis of intra-abdominal conditions. Both standing cryptorchidectomy (removal of retained testicle) and ovariectomy are routinely carried out by this approach. The removal of both normal-sized and neoplastic ovaries is possible using a laparoscopic approach. Cystic calculi (stones in urinary bladder) removal in geldings is facilitated by a laparoscopic approach to the bladder under general anaesthesia. This allows the calculus to be removed by a much smaller incision in the abdomen thus reducing post-operative complications.
The laparoscope can also be used effectively under general anaesthesia. For example, laparoscopically-assisted removal of cystic calculi appears to offer a most effective means of removing large bladder stones from geldings.
