title: Cervical esophagostomy to permit extraoral feeding of the horse.
abstract: An indwelling stomach tube was placed through a cervical esophagostomy in 5 clinically normal horses and in 3 horses requiring artificial alimentation. In all but one case, surgery was performed on conscious horses following tranquilization and infiltration of the surgical sites with a local anesthetic. Six horses were fed liquid rations through the indwelling tubes, which were left in place from 3 to 26 days. After the tubes were removed, the stomas healed rapidly and with minimal complications. Cervical esophagostomy proved to be a safe, easy, and effective method for the provision of extraoral feeding of the horse.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D011859:Radiography