Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Incarceration of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen. Report of 19 cases (1983-1992).
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 1993
- Authors:
- Engelbert, T A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at 19 horses that were referred for colic, a type of abdominal pain, and found that they had a part of their small intestine trapped in a specific area called the epiploic foramen. The horses showed signs of colic for an average of about 13.5 hours before being examined. Many of them had issues like vomiting and noticeable swelling in their abdomen. Out of the 19 horses, three had to be euthanized during surgery due to severe damage, while 13 others needed surgery to remove the damaged part of their intestine. In the end, about 74% of the horses survived for at least a month after treatment, and 63% were still alive after a longer follow-up period.
Abstract
The medical records of 19 horses referred for colic and subsequently found (18 confirmed, 1 suspected) to have small intestinal incarceration through the epiploic foramen were reviewed. These horses were of various ages and breeds; they had clinical signs of colic for an average duration of 13.5 hours before examination. Seventeen horses had nasogastric reflux, and 15 had palpable small intestinal distention. Three horses were killed during surgery because of severe intestinal damage. Of the remaining 16 horses, 13 required intestinal resection and anastomosis. The length of incarcerated small intestine varied from 8 cm to 17.6 m. The ileum was involved in 12 cases. In one horse, the mesoduodenum was disrupted before surgery, causing intra-abdominal bleeding; incarceration of bowel was not found during surgery. The short-term (1 month) survival rate was 74% (14 of 19 cases), and the long-term survival rate was 63% (12 of 19 cases). The follow-up period was 3 months to 45 months (mean 17.2 +/- 7.2 months).
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8488677/