The aim of this study is to evaluate a laparoscopically assisted percutaneous suture (LAPS) procedure to treat inguinal hernia (IH) while preserving testicles in rams. An ex vivo experiment with six ram cadavers and a report of three clinical cases are discussed. In cadavers, both internal inguinal rings (IIR) were partially closed by LAPS. Two LAPS methods were tested: (1) using a laparoscopic portal closure device and (2) using a suture loop inserted through needles in each IIR. After each procedure, the closure was laparoscopically evaluated and the number of U- sutures was recorded. The procedure was also performed on three client-owned rams with unilateral non-strangulated IH and the occurrence of re-herniation was followed up. In cadavers, LAPS of the IIRs could be easily and satisfactorily performed with either of the two systems, requiring one to three U-sutures per IIR. No differences were observed between the two surgical procedures. In two clinical cases, the procedure was successfully performed without reoccurrence of herniation or alterations in reproductive behavior in the following 3 and 6 months. In the third case, the hernia was reduced but a retroperitoneal emphysema during laparoscopy prevented hernioplasty and the animal herniated again. In conclusion, LAPS of IIR can be used as a simple and feasible treatment to preserve testicles in rams with IH.
Keywords: cadaver; case report; hernioplasty; inguinal hernia; laparoscopy; percutaneous suture; ram.