Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical management of small intestinal incarceration through the gastrosplenic ligament: 14 cases (1994-2006).
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Jenei, Thomas M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at 14 horses that had a rare condition where a part of their small intestine got trapped through a ligament in the abdomen. The horses showed signs like swelling in the intestine, vomiting, and unusual fluid in their abdomen. All of them needed surgery to remove the trapped section of intestine, and some had complications afterward, such as infections and diarrhea. Despite these challenges, most of the horses, about 79%, survived long-term after the surgery. Overall, with the right treatment, the outlook for these horses was generally positive.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence, clinical findings, and long-term survival rate after surgery associated with incarceration of the small intestine through the gastrosplenic ligament (ISIGL) in horses. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 14 horses with ISIGL. PROCEDURES: Medical records of horses with ISIGL examined between January 1994 and December 2006 were reviewed. Signalment, initial physical examination findings, results of abdominal fluid analysis, and clinical laboratory values were recorded, along with surgical findings, including segment of incarcerated intestine and surgical procedures performed. Long-term survival data were obtained through client interviews. RESULTS: Clinical findings included small intestinal distention identified via rectal palpation (10/14 horses) or transabdominal ultrasonography (8/11), nasogastric reflux (4/14), and abnormal abdominal fluid (9/9). All horses required intestinal resection and anastomosis. Postoperative complications included adynamic ileus (5/14 horses), incisional infection (4/14), diarrhea (3/14), and laminitis (1/14). No breed or age predilection was detected, although geldings were at increased risk for ISIGL. Long-term survival rate was 79% (11/14 horses). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: ISIGL was an uncommon cause of colicin this hospital population. With appropriate surgical intervention and postoperative management, the long-term prognosis for surgically treated horses was fair to good.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17937552/