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Jejunocolostomy or ileocolostomy for treatment of cecal impaction in horses: nine cases (1985-1995)
M P Gerard1, K F Bowman, A T Blikslager
1Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
Insights
Complete cecal bypass using jejunocolostomy or ileocolostomy effectively treats horses with cecal impaction, offering good long-term outcomes. Some horses may experience mild abdominal pain when reintroducing food post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Equine Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cecal impaction is a common gastrointestinal issue in horses.
- Surgical intervention is sometimes necessary for refractory cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of complete cecal bypass (jejunocolostomy or ileocolostomy) for treating horses with cecal impaction.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records from 9 horses with cecal impaction.
- Procedures included jejunocolostomy (3 horses) or ileocolostomy (6 horses), with or without typhlotomy.
- Data collected included signalment, medical history, surgical details, complications, and owner follow-up via telephone.
Main Results:
- The study included 9 horses (6 males, 3 females) aged 9-24 years (median 14).
- Five horses experienced mild abdominal pain during early postoperative feeding.
- Follow-up data from 7 horses showed they were alive 7-54 months (median 1.5 years) post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- Jejunocolostomy or ileocolostomy appears to be an effective treatment for cecal impaction in horses.
- These procedures offer acceptable long-term outcomes with apparently permanent resolution of the impaction.
- Mild, transient abdominal pain associated with feeding is a potential early postoperative complication.
Objective:
To determine whether complete cecal bypass, by jejunocolostomy or ileocolostomy, is an effective treatment for horses with cecal impaction.
Design:
Retrospective analysis of medical records.
Animals:
9 horses with cecal impaction managed by jejunocolostomy (3) or ileocolostomy (6) performed with or without typhlotomy for evacuation of cecal contents.
Procedure:
Information on age, breed, gender, duration of medical treatment, preoperative abnormalities, surgical procedure, and postoperative complications was retrieved from the medical records. Follow-up data were obtained via telephone interview with owners.
Results:
6 males and 3 females between 9 and 24 years old (median, 14 years) were included. Five of 9 horses had signs of mild pain associated with reintroduction of food after surgery. All 7 horses for which follow-up information was available were still alive between 7 and 54 months (median, 1.5 years) after surgery.
Clinical Implications:
Jejunocolostomy or ileocolostomy resulted in apparently permanent resolution of cecal impaction in these horses and acceptable long-term outcomes. Mild signs of abdominal pain associated with the onset of feeding can be expected in the early postoperative period.