Cecocolic Anastomosis for the Surgical Management of Cecal Impaction in Horses |
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| Authors: | M W ROSS dvm L P TATE vmd Diplomateacvs W J DONAWICK dvm Diplomateacvs D W RICHARDSON dvm Diplomateacvs |
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| Institution: | Department of Clinical Studies, George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania;Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Abstract: | Fourteen horses with cecal impaction were treated by cecocolic anastomosis. In nine horses, the anastomosis followed enterotomy and evacuation of the cecal contents, and in two horses it followed saline infusion and massage of the cecum. In three horses, the anastomosis was the only surgical procedure performed. Cecocolic anastomosis was performed between the lateral and dorsal cecal teniae, and the lateral and medial free teniae of the right ventral colon. The anastomosis was hand sutured in five horses. In all other horses, the GIA surgical stapling instrument was used in combination with hand sutured seromuscular layer closures and became the preferred surgical technique. The anastomosis allowed an alternative route for the transit of ingesta from the cecum to the right ventral colon.
Twelve of the 14 horses survived 2 months or longer after surgery (short-term survival rate, 86%) and 10 horses survived 12 months or longer after surgery (long-term survival rate, 71%). Early postoperative complications included mild abdominal pain (6 horses), wound infections (3 horses), fatal peritonitis (2 horses), and large colon distention necessitating reoperation (2 horses). |
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