Closure of the Equine Nephrosplenic Space Using a Single LED Powered Trocar via Standing Mini-Laparotomy

Objective: To evaluate a technique using a custom-developed LED powered Single Port Trocar for closure of the nephrosplenic space via a standing mini-laparotomy. Design: Prospective case series. Animals: 60 client-owned horses with a history of nephrosplenic entrapment. Procedures: The nephrosplenic space was closed under direct visualization through a specifically designed LED powered Single Port Trocar in standing sedated horses having experienced recurrence or previous surgical correction of a nephrosplenic entrapment. Obliteration of the space was performed in a cranial to caudal direction in a simple continuous fashion. Time required for suturing the nephrosplenic space, as well as per and post-operative complications were recorded. Clients and referring veterinarians were asked to communicate any complication that occurred after discharge. Results: Surgical time ranged from 23 to 45 min. No complication except for self-limited spleen capsule bleeding occurred during the procedure. Minor wound discharge was noted in 2 cases, and another 2 horses developed post-surgical sweating patches close to the incision. All horses were allowed to progressively resume exercise, starting 1 month post discharge from the hospital. Cosmetic results were considered satisfactory and no recurrence of left dorsal displacement of the colon was reported post-surgery. Conclusions and clinical relevance: A Single Port LED powered Trocar is a technique that allows effective, fast, and safe closure of the nephrosplenic space in the standing horse with minimal instrumentation.