Laparoscopic surgical technique for repair of rectal and colonic tears in horses: an experimental study

To determine the efficacy of laparoscopic surgical techniques for repair of rectal lacerations in horses.

Experimental study.

Thirty-two segments of equine bowel placed in an equine pelvitrainer, 8 equine cadavers, and 3 normal horses.

In experiment 1, 3 laparoscopic intestinal-repair techniques were evaluated in an equine pelvitrainer: suturing with needle holders, with an automatic suture device, and stapling with a hernia stapler. In experiment 2, descending colon lacerations were sutured laparoscopically using needle holders in a pelvitrainer and in equine cadavers. In experiment 3, iatrogenic rectal lacerations were sutured laparoscopically with needle holders in horses under general anesthesia. These horses were evaluated for 7 days' postoperatively by clinical examination and blood and peritoneal fluid analysis. The horses were euthanatized 7 days' postoperatively and necropsied. The repaired colonic segments were collected for determination of bursting pressures, degree of luminal narrowing, and microscopic examination of the suture line.

For the 3 techniques, there was no significant difference in repair time or degree of luminal narrowing, but bursting pressure was higher in segments repaired by use of needle holders or with the suture device. Colonic and rectal lacerations were sutured successfully with laparoscopic needle holders. No major complications were recorded. At necropsy, adequate healing was confirmed by a high bursting strength (>140 mm Hg) and by histologic examination.

A novel laparoscopic method can be used to repair iatrogenic rectal lacerations in horses. Whether this method may be used for clinical cases of rectal tears must be investigated.