Orangutan double surgery is UK first

A Bornean orangutan from Blackpool Zoo has successfully undergone double surgery for the first time in UK history.

Vicky, who is 30 years old, had two operations performed by leading human and animal medical experts to alleviate severe congestion caused by chronic sinusitis and air sacculitis.
Consultant ENT Surgeon, Jawed Tahery from Nuffield Health, The Grosvenor Hospital in Chester carried out functional endoscopic sinus surgery and zoo vets Karen Archer and Andrew Moore from Oakhill Veterinary Centre in Preston performed marsupialisation of the air sac.

They were joined by anaesthetist, Dr Paul Jamieson and staff nurse, Virginia Kayembe, from Nuffield Health, a team of specialist primate keepers from Blackpool Zoo as well as other human and animal medical specialists.

It is the second time Vicky has undergone surgical treatment for chronic sinusitis and air sacculitis – the first operation was carried out in April 2014 at Chester Zoo where Blackpool Zoo’s orangutans were in temporary residence while their new £1million home was being built. However, this is the first time that the two procedures have been carried out at the same time.

Both procedures were successful and Vicky rejoined daughters Summer and Cherie and male of the group Ramon, less than 24 hours after the operation and is now being closely monitored by keepers.

Mr Tahery, who carried out Vicky’s first functional endoscopic sinus surgery in 2014, said: “As an ear, nose and throat surgeon I have carried out this procedure many times, but it is very rare to get the opportunity to operate on an animal.

“The anatomy of an orangutan and a human are similar but the orangutan doesn’t have frontal and ethmoid sinuses and their bones are much harder.

“The aim of the operation was to restore drainage in the sinuses and increase ventilation of the nasal cavity and I am delighted with the results.”

Karen Archer, Veterinary Surgeon at Oakhill Veterinary Centre, who performed Vicky’s first air sacculitis surgery in 2014, alongside Andrew Moore, in collaboration with Chester Zoo, said: “The teamwork between top human and animal medical specialists in this case was the key to its success.

“Myself and Andrew drained Vicky’s air sac, which is used for vocalisation, and sutured it open to prevent any further build up and congestion.

“We will use the results of this, as well as the samples collected to further the research into this extremely interesting field.”

Andrew Moore, who is also a Veterinary Surgeon at Oakhill Veterinary Centre, added: “Air sacculitis is a common condition in orangutans and this type of surgery goes a long way to help alleviate symptoms and limits the risk of potentially life-threatening complications that may occur without such treatment.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with a whole host of professionals and field leaders.”
Peter Dillingham, Animal Manager at Blackpool Zoo, concluded: “I have been working with Vicky since she was born here at Blackpool Zoo almost 31 years ago and she is very special to everyone here.

“She has had these two conditions for many years and it has been fantastic to work with such esteemed medical experts to make this procedure a reality.

“Less than 24 hours after the surgery she was back in with the rest of the orangutans and is recovering well.”

Vicky was born at Blackpool Zoo on June 17th 1984. She is mother to the two other females in the group, Cherie and Summer. She is a very intelligent animal who tends to boss everyone around.

Her favourite food is yogurt and she is best known for flashing visitors her smile, which has been photographed thousands of times!

Bornean Orangutans – the facts
Becoming critically endangered in the wild due to deforestation and hunting has brought these stunning red apes to the attention of the world.

Scientific tests have shown that orangutans share around 97 per cent of the same DNA as humans. This is also shown by the fact that orangutans use tools for such tasks as poking into holes to remove insects.

Male orangutans have large cheek pads, which increase in size as they grow older. These show their dominance over other males as well as their readiness to mate.

Ends

Pictures show: Pictures from the procedure are attached and a picture of Vicky’s famous smile is embedded below.

More information about Blackpool Zoo
Blackpool Zoo announced record figures for the ninth consecutive year in 2014 as it continued with investment in facilities and attractions, introduces new species and enjoys success in international breeding programmes for endangered animals.

Visitor numbers, school visits and memberships were all up 10 per cent, on the previous year, which all led to a 10 per cent rise in revenue.

Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world-wide player. The zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes.
The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orangutans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos. It is open every day of the year, apart from Christmas Day, from 10am.

For further information please contact:
Paula Holden or Abi Blundell at ICG on 01772 679383

Nuffield Health
Nuffield Health provides access to more than 10,000 health experts through our 31 hospitals, 75 fitness & wellbeing gyms and more than 200 corporate facilities to help people get healthy, and stay healthy. We are the UK’s leading employee health and wellbeing provider and work with more than half of the FTSE 100. We were recently named ‘Best Provider of Workplace Wellbeing Services 2014’ at the Health Insurance Awards for the third year running. Our nationwide network of physiotherapists is the largest in the UK outside of the NHS. As a not-for-profit organisation, we reinvest everything back into the organisation to improve our facilities and services and provide public health education. For more info go to www.nuffieldhealth.com

Oakhill Veterinary Centre
Located in the heart of Lancashire; not just one of the best resourced practices in the North West – our expertise and facilities go way beyond the everyday – totally focused on the client.
A combination of 40+ years’ experience and the acquisition of young, agile specialist skills all focused on providing care and clinical excellence within each of our dedicated divisions.
Keen to know more…take a look at www.oakhill-vets.com or call us on 01772 861300.