Wound Retractor Laparoscopic Port System for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Panthera leo

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The procedures are carried out using three portals, with a retractor platform at the umbilical port and cannulas inserted 3–4 cm cranial and caudal to the device at the midline. We evaluated the procedure’s duration as well as the intraoperative and early postoperative complications. The extraction of dissected ovarian tissue and annexes went off without complications. It is feasible and without intraoperative difficulties to employ a laparoscopic platform during three-portal operations for laparoscopic ovariectomy in adult obese lionesses. Because of the retractor, the 25 mm mini-laparotomy posed no entry-related issues. It also made retrieving thick ovaries and swiftly re-establishing the pneumoperitoneum simpler. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and intraoperative complications of performing ovariectomies in African lionesses (Panthera leo) using a wound retractor laparoscopic platform. Six lionesses (n = 6) were included. The surgical procedures were carried out through three portals, with a retractor platform positioned at the umbilical port and cannulas placed 3–4 cm from the cranial and caudal regions to the device at the level of the midline. An ovariectomy was performed with a vessel-sealing device. We evaluated the surgery time and the intraoperative and early postoperative complications. The mean weight was 172.83 kg. The total surgery time was 49.33 min. The installation step took a mean of 10.33 min to complete. The mean ovariectomy time was 20 min. Controlled bleeding was observed at the tip of the uterine horn in two cases due to excessive tissue thickness. The retrieval of dissected ovarian tissue and annexes was easily performed. No other complications were observed. The use of the laparoscopic platform during three-portal surgeries for laparoscopic ovariectomy in adult overweight lionesses is feasible and without intraoperative problems. The retractor meant that there were no entry-related issues due to the 25 mm mini-laparotomy. It also made it simpler to extract thick ovaries and promptly re-establish the pneumoperitoneum.