Modified stapled jejunocecostomy in horses

To develop a modified stapled (MS) jejunocecostomy (JC) in healthy horses.

In vivo experimental study.

Six healthy adult horses underwent ventral midline celiotomy, a jejunal resection, and an MS.

Time to complete anastomosis and anastomotic length at necropsy were recorded. Horses were assessed by physical examination every 6 h for 5 days after surgery, then once daily until euthanasia at 7 days. A group of seven horses that had a stapled side-to-side JC and were euthanized 28 days postoperatively was used as an historical control (SS).

All MS horses recovered well, although one developed transient mild colic and another had a brief period of pyrexia and diarrhea. Postoperative heart rates returned to preoperative values shortly after surgery. At necropsy, the MS anastomoses appeared grossly to be healing well and formed a wide triangulated stoma. Times to complete the anastomosis (p = .49) and lumen size at necropsy (p = .32) were similar for both groups.

The MS method was performed with ease and appeared to function effectively. It produced a triangulated stoma that could facilitate flow and reduce the risk of impaction.

This study supports the use of MS for JC in horses. Although the study size was small, the results compared favorably with historical data for a SS for JC in healthy horses. The elimination of oversewn ends simplifies the MS technique and allows a single application of the stapler, minimizing cost.