Standing Hand‐Assisted Laparoscopic Treatment of Left Dorsal Displacement of the Large Colon and Closure of the Nephrosplenic Space

OBJECTIVE: To report a standing hand-assisted laparoscopic technique for closure of the nephrosplenic space (NS), and short-term outcome in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Horses (n = 12) aged 5-14 years. METHODS: Medical records (2007-2010) of horses treated for left dorsal displacement of the large colon (LDDLC) using a hand-assisted laparoscopic correction technique with closure of the NS in the same surgical procedure were reviewed. A modified grid laparotomy in the left paralumbar fossa was used with manual correction of LDDLC, after which the NS was closed with a laparoscopic technique. Follow up was obtained by telephone interview of owners or referring veterinarians. RESULTS: Resolution of LDDLC and closure of the NS was successful, with only minor postoperative complications, in all horses. On short-term follow-up (>10 months; mean, 23.8 months), 2 horses had displacement of the large colon between the spleen and the body wall. CONCLUSION: Standing hand-assisted laparoscopic correction of LDDLC and closure of the NS in a single surgical procedure is feasible. Appropriate case selection is mandatory when performing this combined technique.