Normal laparoscopic anatomy of the caprine pelvic cavity

Abstract

Due to the several advantages over conventional procedures, the laparoscopic disease diagnosis and surgery has now started receiving attention in small ruminants. The normal laparoscopic anatomy needs to be described for comparison with the findings in animals with various diseases. The objective of the present study was therefore to describe the laparoscopic anatomy of the caprine pelvic cavity. Adult Bakerwal and Pashmina goats (n=25) of both the sexes were included in this laparoscopy study. All the animals were restrained in dorsal recumbency and Trendelenburg position under lumbosacral epidural anesthesia and sedation. After creating the pneumoperitoneum, the primary port for 5 mm laparoscope was placed at linea alba (3.0 cm cranial to mammary glands in does), and at right paramedian (3.0 cm cranial to the rudimentary teat in the bucks) site. Secondary port was placed under direct laparoscopic observation 5-6 cm away from the primary port in horizontal plane, to allow insertion of the grasping forceps. Scan was performed first at the primary port and subsequently through the secondary port for orientation and exploration of the pelvic cavity. The ventral laparoscopic approach provided satisfactory exposure of the pelvic cavity in goats. Comprehensive description of the pelvic organs could be obtained. However, dorsal aspect of the urinary bladder neck and accessory genital organs of male animals could not be visualized. Major complications were not encountered during or after laparoscopy. Laparoscopy a minimally invasive procedure has several advantages over alternate methods of understanding anatomy, physiology and pathology of most of the intraperitoneal pelvic structures in goats. The technique has high pedagogic value. The procedure is safe in experienced hands.