Surgical approaches to the equine abdomen

Factors to consider when deciding on a surgical approach to explore the abdomen of a horse include facilities and equipment available, experience of the surgeon, temperament of the horse and the necessity for cosmesis. An approach performed with the horse standing may be necessary when anaesthesia or recovery from anaesthesia is considered risky or when the owner imposes a financial limitation that does not allow surgery to be performed with the horse anaesthetised. Approaches performed with the horse standing include the flank and colpotomy approaches. Each approach has benefits and risks inherent to it.