Single‐incision laparoscopy for pig ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy: Safe and feasible in select patients

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was to describe a single incision laparoscopic approach to ovariectomy (OVE) and ovariohysterectomy (OVH) in companion pigs. Additionally, we aimed to compare complications and outcomes between production breed and miniature pigs. Study design Descriptive clinical case series. Animals Twenty intact female, client‐owned companion pigs. Methods Records from a university teaching hospital were reviewed for pigs undergoing elective OVE or OVH by single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) over 1 year (2023–2024). Patient signalment, presenting complaint, surgical and anesthetic techniques as well as complications were recorded. Patient follow‐up was obtained by owner phone communication at least 1 year postoperatively. Complications and outcomes were compared between production breed and miniature pig populations with Mann–Whitney and χ 2 testing for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Results Production breed (9/20, 45%) and miniature pigs (11/20, 55%) underwent SILS OVE (16/20, 80%) or OVH (4/20, 20%). SILS OVE was successfully performed in all cases. SILS OVH was achieved in one case (25%) in which the uterus was near‐normal; additional OVH procedures (3/4, 75%) performed on miniature pigs with an abnormal uterus were converted to open because of challenges with tissue manipulation. No difference in complications or outcomes was noted between production breed and miniature pigs. Conclusion SILS OVE appears to be a feasible and safe surgical option for both production breed and miniature pigs, with no significant differences observed between groups, while SILS OVH is feasible in select cases. Clinical significance Single incision laparoscopic OVE is a safe and viable alternative to traditional three port laparoscopy for production breed and miniature companion pigs. SILS is an adequate technique for OVH in select patients, suggesting that further investigation of laparoscopy for porcine OVH is warranted.