With the acquisition of laparoscopic surgical equipment and the faculty addition of Dr. Federico G. Latimer, a board-certified surgeon, LSU now offers laparoscopic surgery on horses.
Surgeons prepare a patient for laparoscopic removal of an intra-abdominal cryptorchid testicle.
Research may allow the technique to be adapted for use in mares for intrafallopian tube transfer of oocytes or in vitro derived embryos. It may be of benefit in confirming the presence of a uterine torsion before surgery or to determine the definitive source of postpartum hemorrhage or cause of colic in peripartum mares. It may be also useful for determining if a lack of oviduct patency or ovarian adhesions is a cause of infertility in mares. The technique could also be adapted for the repair of rectal or uterine tears.