SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF UTERINE LESIONS IN TWO CAPTIVE ORANGUTANS ( PONGO SPP.)

USE OF HYSTEROSCOPIC MORCELLATION WITH A MYOSURE® DEVICE FOR REMOVAL OF UTERINE FOREIGN MATERIAL IN AN ORANGUTAN (PONGO SP.)

A 36-yr-old female intact hybrid orangutan (Pongo sp.) presented with evidence of chronic bacterial cystitis with no response to treatment with multiple systemic antibiotics. Abnormalities were identified within the reproductive tract on CT scan, and hysteroscopy was pursued based on the recommendation of an obstetrician-gynecologist. Hysteroscopic examination revealed a large amount of intrauterine foreign material consistent with wood wool from the orangutan's bedding. A hysteroscopic morcellator (MyoSure®) was used to remove the foreign material. Histologic examination of endometrial biopsies showed severe suppurative to pyogranulomatous endometritis with intralesional foreign (wood) fibers and bacteria. The orangutan was treated with antibiotics, but evidence of bacterial cystitis persisted. After 15 wk, additional wood wool was identified within the uterus by hysteroscopic examination and was removed similarly. Five months later, there was no recurrence of foreign material on hysteroscopy or CT. This report describes the first documentation of intrauterine foreign material in a nonhuman primate. Hysteroscopic morcellation is a useful technique for noninvasive removal of intrauterine foreign material in great apes.

Surgical management of dystocia in a colobus monkey (Colobus guereza)

A 14-year-old female black and white colobus monkey (Colobus guereza) presented in labor with fetal arms visible protruding from the vulva. Manual manipulation for assisted delivery of the fetus was unsuccessful. Radiographs identified a large fetal skull and hysterotomy was required with ovariohysterectomy elected to follow. The fetus was confirmed to be deceased during hysterotomy, but the dam recovered from the procedure uneventfully. The detailed description of the anesthesia and surgical procedure in this case may aid other clinicians when presented with similar dystocia cases in this species.