Utilization of colpotomy in the mare

Colpotomy, or a surgical incision of the vagina, has been used as an approach to urogenital surgery in the mare since the early 20th century. The most common use of this approach is for ovariectomy, though it has also been reported as an approach to the urinary bladder for repair of tears and removal of cystoliths as well as to the uterus to facilitate reduction of a twin fetus via transuterine cranio-cervical dislocation. Advantages of the colpotomy approach include the ability to perform standing surgery (no need for general anesthesia), shortened surgical time, and a reduced postsurgical recovery time. Disadvantages are the blind nature of some procedures performed via colpotomy (i.e., ovariectomy and associated potential complications such as hemorrhage and postoperative evisceration, with the most serious being death of the mare). This manuscript reviews the various reported uses of colpotomy in the mare as well as potential complications.