Evaluation of a Vessel Sealing Device for Use in Performing Standing Bilateral Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Mares

摘要

Use of the LigaSure~(TM) provides a new, safe, and alternative method of accomplishing hemostasis while performing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Ovariectomy is becoming a more common surgical procedure in horses. Standing laparoscopic ovariectomy has beendescribed as the preferred method for elective ovariectomy. Several disadvantages cited in the literature are difficulty in proper knot tying, cost of preformed ligatures, ligature slippage, and inadvertent damage to associated structures. Recently, a vessel sealing instrument (LigaSure~(TM)) has been described in the human literature. The LigaSure~(TM) is a feedback controlled bipolar vessel sealing device that uses high current (4 amps) and low voltage (<200 V) to perform hemostasis. The feedback controlled electrothermal sealer applies a precise amount of energy to vessel walls based on the setting and the amount of tissue in the jaws of the instrument to produce a seal of partially denatured protein. The integrity of the seal in 3—7 mm vessels approximates the burst strength of ligature and clips, is independent of a proximal thrombus, and resists dislodgement because they are intrinsic to the wall structure.